Algeria has called in French Ambassador Stéphane Romatet to the Foreign Ministry for a formal reprimand, accusing France’s intelligence services of involvement in actions aimed at destabilizing the North African country. This move, reported by Algerian media on Sunday, follows serious allegations of French interference in Algeria’s internal affairs.
Romatet’s summons comes after revelations that French intelligence allegedly recruited former Algerian militants to destabilize Algeria. One of the key figures cited in the allegations is Mohamed Amine Aissaoui, a former militant who recently appeared in a televised confession, claiming he was part of a conspiracy orchestrated by French intelligence.
Algerian officials have issued a stark warning, telling Romatet that such actions will not go unchallenged. “Algeria will not stand idly by in the face of attacks on its sovereignty,” authorities emphasized, vowing to take all necessary measures to protect the country’s stability.
At the time of publication, there has been no comment from French authorities regarding the allegations or the reprimand.
This diplomatic standoff adds another layer of complexity to the already tense relationship between Algeria and France. The two nations have been at odds over various issues, including the contentious history of French colonialism, migration policies, and, more recently, the Western Sahara conflict. In July 2023, Algeria withdrew its ambassador from Paris in protest against French President Emmanuel Macron’s support for Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara, a region where Algeria backs the Polisario Front’s call for self-determination.
As tensions between the two countries continue to escalate, this latest development signals the ongoing strain in their diplomatic ties, with both sides standing firm on their respective positions.