Diplomatic Expulsions and Summoned Ambassadors: Tensions Escalate Between France and Algeria
The French Presidency announced on Tuesday that it had summoned its ambassador to Algeria for consultations, in an escalatory move following Algeria’s decision to expel 12 staff members from the French embassy in Algiers.
In an official statement, Paris described Algeria’s move as “unjustified and incomprehensible,” stating that it “disregards the fundamental principles of judicial procedures”—a reference to the incident that sparked the latest diplomatic rift between the two countries.
In a reciprocal step, France also announced the expulsion of 12 Algerian diplomatic and consular staff from its territory, reflecting a policy of “tit-for-tat.” Despite the growing tensions, the French Presidency emphasized the importance of resuming bilateral dialogue, asserting that doing so is “in the best interest of both countries.”
Algeria Denounces Diplomatic Violation
In a statement released late Monday, the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the expulsion of French diplomats as a “sovereign decision” and a direct response to what it called a “public and humiliating arrest” of a consular employee by French authorities on April 8, 2025.
Algeria claimed the detained official was protected under diplomatic immunity, adding that the incident constituted a “blatant violation of diplomatic norms and international treaties.” The statement squarely blamed French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau for the deterioration of relations.
Algerian authorities gave the expelled French diplomats 48 hours to leave the country, stressing that the decision was taken to “defend national sovereignty and the dignity of its representatives abroad.”
