A telephone conversation between French President Emmanuel Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on Monday aimed to invigorate their bilateral relationship.
After several months of strained ties, this reinvigorated partnership is forecasted to result in a restart of cooperation on security and migration matters, as confirmed in a jointly released statement.
During the call, President Macron also conveyed his trust in President Tebboune’s judgment and pleaded for a gesture of compassion and humanity towards Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal, who had been sentenced to five years in prison by an Algerian court last Thursday.
The two leaders also reconfirmed their dedication to reigniting the productive dialogue that was initiated with the Algerian Declaration in August 2022, which had led to significant gestures regarding historical memory.
According to the communiqué, the strong ties—particularly the human connections—between France and Algeria, along with their respective strategic and security interests and the challenges confronting Europe, the Mediterranean, and Africa, necessitated a return to an equitable dialogue.
They highlighted their desire for a strong, peaceful, and respectful relationship that acknowledges and protects the interests of both nations.
On the day marking the end of Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, the two presidents decided to swiftly resume security cooperation, which is paramount in the fight against terrorism and human trafficking.
Further, the joint statement emphasized the urgent need to restart migration cooperation—a focal point of recent tensions—with the goal of achieving outcomes that respond to the concerns of both countries.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot is scheduled to visit Algiers on April 6 to rapidly elevate the bilateral relationship to the level embraced by both heads of state, as per a press release.
The presidents have also tentatively agreed to hold a future meeting, with further details pending.
Back in July 2024, the bilateral relationship faced a setback after President Macron voiced strong support for a Moroccan sovereignty plan for Western Sahara, a territory with unresolved status, claimed by the Polisario independence movement, and backed by Algeria.
Tensions further escalated with the arrest of Boualem Sansal for statements made to the French media outlet Frontières, known for its far-right orientation and perceived to undermine Algeria’s territorial integrity.
Moreover, the repatriation of Algerians facing deportation from France exacerbated relations between the two countries.
The situation reached a climax following the February 22 attack in Mulhouse that resulted in one fatality and was conducted by an Algerian national who had been the subject of multiple deportation requests that Algeria had refused.
