Algeria demands French diplomats to leave its territory while Paris pledges to respond as diplomatic escalation continues between the two countries
Algerian authorities have called on their French counterparts to immediately deport all French employees “who were recently appointed under conditions that contravene established procedures”.
According to the Algerian News Agency, citing informed sources, the Chargé d’Affaires of the French Embassy in Algeria was received Sunday afternoon at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and informed of the decision.
The French diplomat was summoned after serious and repeated violations by the French side, including a blatant failure to comply with established and customary procedures for appointing employees at French diplomatic and consular missions accredited to Algeria.
The competent authorities had monitored the appointment of no less than 15 French employees to carry out diplomatic or consular duties on Algerian soil, without the necessary procedures being met, including prior official notification or request for accreditation, as required by relevant international norms and agreements.
For its part, the French Foreign Ministry announced on Monday that France would respond immediately, firmly, and proportionately to Algeria’s “incomprehensible” decision to deport French employees.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said in Boulevard, western France, that the Algerian decision was harsh and reprehensible because it serves neither Algeria’s nor France’s interests, vowing to respond.
France and Algeria expelled each other’s diplomats last April, signaling a return to tensions in their relationship.
The two countries’ presidents announced during a phone call on March 31, 2025, an agreement to resume security cooperation and emphasized the need for the immediate resumption of reliable, smooth, and effective cooperation on migration, months after the crisis.
