Algeria has ordered 12 French diplomats to leave the country within 48 hours, a decision linked to the recent arrest of three Algerians in France, the French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot confirmed on Monday. The expulsion has heightened already tense relations between the two nations.
The diplomats targeted in the expulsion order include officials from France’s interior ministry, a source within the French government revealed. The move follows the indictment of three Algerian nationals in connection with the abduction of Amir Boukhors, an Algerian influencer, in a Paris suburb in April 2024.
France’s Response
Reacting to the expulsion order, Minister Barrot called on Algerian authorities to reverse the decision, stating, “I am urging Algeria to reconsider these expulsion measures. If this decision stands, France will have no choice but to retaliate immediately.”
The diplomatic spat comes amid ongoing legal actions in France, where prosecutors have placed three individuals, including an Algerian consular official, under investigation for their alleged involvement in the abduction of Boukhors, a vocal critic of the Algerian government.
The Abduction of Amir Boukhors
Boukhors, who has a large following on social media platforms, particularly TikTok, is an outspoken opponent of Algeria’s political leadership. He has been living in France since 2016 and was granted political asylum in 2023 due to his opposition to the regime. In April 2024, Boukhors was abducted in the Paris region but was freed the following day under unclear circumstances.
The French authorities’ decision to charge the three Algerians has intensified the diplomatic tensions, with the Algerian government accusing France of meddling in its internal affairs. Algeria has condemned the charges as a deliberate attempt to derail efforts to rebuild strained relations between the two countries.
Algeria’s Strong Reaction
Algeria has strongly condemned the detention of one of its consular officials, calling it an “unacceptable” action that will severely damage relations with France. The Algerian government has issued a stark warning that the country will take retaliatory measures if France does not reconsider its position. Algeria is also seeking Boukhors’ return to face trial for alleged charges, including fraud and terrorism-related offenses.
The Algerian government has labeled Boukhors a “saboteur” with ties to terrorist groups, further fueling the political crisis. Algerian authorities have issued multiple international arrest warrants for Boukhors, claiming he has been involved in efforts to destabilize the country.
Tense Diplomatic History
This diplomatic dispute comes at a time when efforts to repair relations between Algeria and France have been faltering. While both countries have tried to move past historical grievances stemming from Algeria’s colonial past, tensions continue to flare up over issues such as migration, human rights, and political dissent.
Earlier this year, Algeria’s court sentenced French-Algerian author Boualem Sansal to five years in prison on charges of undermining national unity, further straining the relationship between Paris and Algiers. French President Emmanuel Macron has called for Sansal’s release, underscoring the ongoing friction between the two nations.
A New Chapter in Algerian-French Relations?
With both Algeria and France embroiled in this latest diplomatic dispute, it remains unclear whether efforts to mend bilateral ties will succeed or if this standoff will deepen the divide. The expulsion of diplomats, along with the legal battle over Boukhors, marks a new chapter in the fraught relationship between the two countries.
The international community is closely monitoring the situation, as it reflects broader geopolitical challenges in North Africa and underscores the complex legacy of Algeria’s fight for independence from French colonial rule.