Alexandre Chauveau 07h18, March 02, 2023

After recalling its ambassador to Paris last month, Algiers now refuses to issue consular passes, essential documents to allow the return of Algerians expelled from France.

This decision risks aggravating the tensions between the two countries, present since Algiers accuses Paris of having allowed the exfiltration of an Algerian activist who took refuge in Tunisia.

Are we heading towards a new diplomatic crisis between France and Algeria?

A month after recalling its ambassador present in Paris, Algiers now refuses to issue consular passes.

These are essential documents to allow the return of Algerians expelled from France.

A backlash sent by Algeria, which accuses France of having allowed the clandestine passage of an Algerian activist to France via Tunisia.

Amira Bouraoui, journalist, was prohibited from leaving Algerian territory.

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Algeria's sovereignty questioned

The latter was finally arrested on February 3 in Tunisia, obtaining the protection of the French consulate in Tunis, before managing to fly to Lyon last month.

Algiers then accuses France of having organized the exfiltration and denounces the violation of its sovereignty.

The Algerian ambassador in Paris is recalled and the consular passes suspended.

Concretely, this means that Algeria no longer takes back any of its nationals expelled by France.

A decision that Algiers does not make official but which according to our information, is noted place Beauvau.

A source at the Élysée confirms the extreme tension between the two countries.

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No reconciliation in sight?

Relations between Algiers and Paris were, however, on the way to warming up.

Emmanuel Macron has multiplied initiatives for reconciliation in recent months.

The Head of State went to Algiers in August 2022, followed a few months later by Élisabeth Borne and 16 ministers.

This crisis also occurs in the midst of the war in Ukraine, while Algiers does not hide its proximity to Moscow.

On Monday, the Algerian and Russian authorities announced the strengthening of their military cooperation.