Sharp turn in the French-Algerian crisis

Arabian Sea Newspaper - Exclusive

Arab Gulf - Algeria: In a new escalation that deepens the diplomatic crisis between Paris and Algeria, French President Emmanuel Macron directed his government to take additional measures "with more firmness and determination," including freezing visa privileges granted to holders of official and diplomatic Algerian passports, in a move observers considered an indication of a more hardline shift in France's policy towards Algeria. In an official letter to his prime minister, published by Le Figaro newspaper, Macron said: "France must be strong and respected, and it cannot demand this from its partners if it does not initiate it first," in a clear reference to Algeria, which he said the rule applies to. Macron justified his position by referring to the cases of the Algerian-French writer Boualem Sansal, sentenced to five years in prison in Algeria on charges of "undermining national unity," and the French journalist Christophe Glayse, who received a seven-year prison sentence on charges of "glorifying terrorism," considering this evidence of the complexity of the bilateral relationship. **Suspension of the Visa Agreement** Among the measures ordered by Macron is the official suspension of the implementation of the 2013 agreement that allows visa exemptions for holders of official and diplomatic Algerian passports, a step that reinforces what had already begun since last May, when Paris returned Algerian diplomats for not having entry visas, in response to what it described as the "unjustified expulsion" of French employees from Algeria. Macron requested the activation of a clause in the new immigration law that allows the refusal to grant short and long-stay visas to Algerians, including holders of official passports. He also tasked his Minister of Interior, Bruno Le Roux, known for his hardline stance towards Algeria, with accelerating coordination with his Algerian counterpart to find a formula for "effective cooperation," while emphasizing "zero tolerance" towards what he described as the "deviation of Algerian individuals in an illegal situation" within France. **Consuls and Immigration File** Regarding consular cooperation, Macron pointed out that only three Algerian consuls are currently performing their duties in France, demanding the resumption of cooperation in the immigration file as a condition for allowing five other consular appointments that are still pending. The French President stressed that Algeria's response to French demands in the immigration and consular work files will be decisive in determining the nature of the French response in the next stage. **Pending Issues** Macron concluded his letter by noting other bilateral files that require treatment "once the dialogue resumes," including the debts of French hospitals to Algeria, the behavior of some Algerian government agencies within French territory, in addition to the outstanding historical issues between the two countries. Algeria has not yet issued any official comment on the new French measures.