In a firm response to what it deems discriminatory behavior, Algeria has lodged an official protest against French border authorities following repeated reports of mistreatment of Algerian nationals at Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports. The Algerian government is calling for immediate action to end the alleged “provocative and degrading” treatment by French officials.
The Algerian Foreign Ministry expressed “deep concern” over testimonies from travelers, some of whom claim to have experienced humiliating and discriminatory practices at the hands of French border police. In an official statement, the Ministry highlighted these accounts as evidence of systemic bias, prompting the government’s swift condemnation.
Algeria’s Secretary of State for the National Community Abroad, Sofiane Chaib, summoned French Ambassador Stéphane Romatet on Tuesday, lodging a formal protest on behalf of the Algerian government. Chaib described the reported actions as “completely unacceptable” and demanded that France take immediate measures to end such practices, which he argued tarnish the French government’s image on the global stage.
Travel Disruptions and Alleged Intentional Delays
State-run newspaper El Moudjahid reported on Monday that Algerian travelers faced extensive delays at Paris airports, with many claiming that French border authorities deliberately closed all visa counters except one. Passengers were reportedly forced to wait far beyond their flight durations to have their passports stamped, fueling accusations that these delays were part of a deliberate strategy to inconvenience Algerians.
The newspaper also implicated French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, accusing him of orchestrating a broader policy of humiliation targeting Algerian nationals.
Historical Context of Tensions
The escalating tensions come amid a long-standing and complicated relationship between Algeria and France, shaped by 132 years of French colonization and the subsequent war of independence that ended in 1962. Despite diplomatic ties, the historical wounds from colonization and the war have left a lasting impact on their bilateral relations, with the two nations often at odds over political and social issues.
The latest dispute was triggered by France’s public backing of Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara in July. This move, which Algeria strongly opposed, added another layer of friction between the two countries, as the status of Western Sahara remains a contentious issue at the United Nations.
Tensions further deepened when Franco-Algerian author Boualem Sansal was detained in Algeria last November, and French authorities arrested several Algerian social media influencers this month, accusing them of promoting violence. These developments have only exacerbated the diplomatic rift between the two nations.
Amid these growing tensions, Algeria has urged France to ensure that its citizens are treated with “respect and dignity” when traveling, a sentiment that underscores the broader frustration over the deteriorating relationship between the two countries.