Macron and Tebboune Reignite Franco-Algerian Cooperation After Months of Tensions

After several months of diplomatic crisis, marked by disagreements and a cooling of exchanges, French President Emmanuel Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune have officially agreed to revive bilateral relations between Paris and Algiers during a phone call on March 31.

According to a joint statement, the two leaders had a “frank and friendly” discussion about the state of their cooperation and the tensions that had built up in recent months. This conversation marks a turning point in restoring dialogue between the two nations, particularly regarding security and migration issues. They reaffirmed their commitment to establishing “trustworthy, smooth, and effective” migration cooperation, emphasizing the need to immediately restart consultation mechanisms to address all aspects of mobility between France and Algeria.

As part of this renewed engagement, both parties also agreed to strengthen judicial cooperation, with the upcoming visit of French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin to Algiers. This visit aims to restore a constructive dialogue on sensitive issues while ensuring proper follow-up on mutual commitments.

Boualem Sansal and Other Diplomatic Disputes

This renewed dialogue comes after a series of tensions between Paris and Algiers, particularly concerning the status of Western Sahara and the case of Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal. Arrested at Algiers airport last November and sentenced in March to five years in prison, his situation has raised serious concerns in France. During the conversation, Emmanuel Macron expressed his confidence in President Tebboune’s “clear-sightedness” and called for an “act of clemency and humanity” in his case.

Relations between the two countries were further strained in mid-March due to a new dispute over a list of Algerians subject to deportation, which France had submitted to Algeria. This issue heightened tensions and underscored the persistent disagreements between Paris and Algiers regarding migration policies.

With this high-level diplomatic exchange, France and Algeria now appear willing to move past recent tensions and open a new phase of cooperation, based on regular dialogue and renewed engagement on key issues.