Faith Nyasuguta
France has announced a sharp shift in its immigration and diplomatic policy, targeting Algerian diplomats with tighter visa restrictions. President Emmanuel Macron made the directive in response to Algeria’s ongoing refusal to accept its nationals who are facing deportation from French territory.
The move marks a significant escalation in already strained relations between the two nations, especially following France’s 2024 decision to recognise Morocco’s claim over Western Sahara – a territory Algeria firmly supports as belonging to the Sahrawi people. That recognition sparked a diplomatic backlash from Algiers, which views France’s position as siding with its regional rival.
According to a report by Reuters, Macron instructed French Foreign Minister Jean -Noel Barrot to formally notify Algeria of the suspension of a 2013 bilateral agreement. That agreement had allowed Algerian diplomatic and official passport holders to travel to France without needing a visa.
Macron further tasked Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau with coordinating with Schengen zone countries to tighten visa enforcement across Europe. He urged them to consult Paris before granting short-stay visas to Algerian officials previously covered under the now-suspended agreement.
“France must be strong and command respect,” Macron said during a briefing. “It can only receive this from its partners if it shows them the respect it demands from them. This basic rule also applies to Algeria.”
The core of the dispute lies in Algeria’s refusal to take back hundreds of Algerian nationals ordered to leave France under the OQTF (Obligation de Quitter le Territoire Français), France’s system for deporting undocumented or criminal foreigners. The French government argues that this refusal undermines its efforts to manage migration and national security.
In recent months, Interior Minister Retailleau has pushed for a broader review of all migration-related agreements with Algeria. He warned that France can no longer tolerate what he described as a “one-sided relationship” where obligations are not respected.
Diplomatic sources indicate that the visa suspension may only be the first step, with further economic or diplomatic measures under consideration. Analysts say the rift could also affect regional cooperation on counterterrorism and trade.
As France prepares for upcoming national elections, migration and security are likely to remain key political issues – and Algeria’s stance is fast becoming a major flashpoint.
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