Algeria Expels 12 French Officials: Algeria expels 12 French officials in a dramatic escalation of tensions with France, marking the most serious diplomatic breakdown between the two nations since Algeria’s independence in 1962.
On Monday, Algerian authorities gave the French embassy officials 48 hours to leave the country following the arrest of three Algerian nationals, including a consular official, in Paris.
The French Foreign Minister, Jean-Noel Barrot, confirmed the arrests and accused the men of being involved in the kidnapping of a political dissident, sparking outrage in Algiers and leading to the retaliatory expulsion.
Arrest Linked to Alleged Kidnapping of Dissident Amir Boukhors
The three Algerians detained in France face serious charges, including kidnapping, unlawful confinement, and criminal terrorist conspiracy. Among them is a staff member of the Algerian consulate in Paris. The accusations are centered around the April 2024 abduction of Amir Boukhors, also known as Amir DZ, a high-profile Algerian dissident and influencer with over a million TikTok followers.
Boukhors has lived in France since 2016 and was granted asylum in 2023. He is known for exposing alleged corruption within Algeria’s military and political elite. His lawyer, Eric Plouvier, claims Boukhors was previously assaulted in 2022 and was again targeted this year when he was abducted in the suburbs of Paris and later released.
France and Algeria Trade Blame as Crisis Deepens
As Algeria expels 12 French officials in retaliation, Foreign Minister Barrot condemned the expulsions, calling on Algiers to reverse its decision. He warned that if Algeria did not comply, France would be forced to take “immediate countermeasures,” further aggravating the already tense relationship.
The Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded by denouncing what it termed an “inadmissible judicial cabal.” It accused France of attempting to sabotage diplomatic reconciliation and stated that the judicial action was “not the result of chance.”
Accusations of French Espionage
French investigators have uncovered another case involving Algerian consular involvement.
A French Ministry of Economy employee was indicted for allegedly leaking data on Algerian dissidents—including Boukhors—to a consulate worker in Créteil. These revelations have deepened suspicions about Algerian intelligence activities on French soil and have only intensified the diplomatic standoff.
Western Sahara Dispute Adds Fuel to the Fire
Algeria’s decision to expel 12 French officials also follows recent geopolitical friction. In July 2024, President Emmanuel Macron publicly supported Morocco’s claim over Western Sahara, a region also claimed by the Polisario Front—a group backed by Algeria. This move enraged Algiers and led to the immediate recall of Algeria’s ambassador from Paris.
Since then, relations between the two countries have spiraled downward. Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune had only just attempted to restart cooperation through a phone conversation on 31 March, aiming to restore ties in areas like migration and security.
Previous Setbacks: Migration Tensions and Jailing of French-Algerian Writer
The list of grievances doesn’t stop there. Algeria has also been angered by France’s stance on migration, and by the international outcry surrounding the imprisonment of French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal, who was sentenced to five years for “attacking territorial integrity.”
These tensions had simmered for months, but the latest scandal involving Boukhors and consular officials has pushed diplomatic relations into uncharted territory.
Analysts Warn of Long-Term Diplomatic Fallout
As Algeria expels 12 French officials, analysts describe the event as “unprecedented” and warn it may take years to restore trust. The move signals a dramatic shift in Algeria’s approach to its former colonial ruler, with nationalism and internal politics playing a larger role in foreign policy.
For France, the expulsions are a blow to its strategic presence in North Africa, and retaliation may follow swiftly. For now, all eyes are on how both governments choose to de-escalate—or escalate—this volatile situation.
