French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced that President Macron and key government members would meet soon to determine how to respond to what Paris considers growing hostility from Algeria, Reuters reported.
Relations between the two countries have been complex for decades, but tensions worsened in July 2024 when Macron angered Algeria by backing a plan for the autonomy of the Sahara region under Moroccan sovereignty.
While diplomatic relations have not been severed, French officials say Algeria is pursuing a policy aimed at diminishing French economic presence, with trade between the two countries dropping by about 30% since the summer.
They also highlighted the negative impact on security and social issues. The situation worsened after Algeria detained Franco-Algerian author Boualem Sansal, whose health has deteriorated recently.
Tensions further escalated when Algeria’s detention of Algerian influencers in France led to diplomatic clashes, with some French politicians accusing Algeria of attempting to humiliate the former colonial power.
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