France has expelled 12 Algerian diplomatic officers in a “symmetrically” calibrated response. This came a day later when Algeria expelled the same number of French officials after the arrest of an Algerian consular employee, allegedly associated with the kidnapping of a political affected person.
While the arrest immediately served as flashpoint, diplomatic tension between the two countries has been boiling for months.
What is the case of kidnapping at the center of dispute?
Three Algerian citizens were recently arrested by French authorities and “kidnapped or arbitrary preventive … in connection with a terrorist venture” alleged, ” CNN Informed The case consists of rich boucors, a political influential person and critic of Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebaune. Mr. Bukhors, who posted as a rich deZ on Tikok and lived in France since 2016, was kidnapped outside his house near Paris in April.
According to The Guardian, Mr. Bukhors were handcuffed and kidnapped by four men outside their house in Val-Day-Marne south of Paris. The men with police armored took him to “container” before he was released 24 hours later and caught him. “I fell into a trap,” Mentor Said him. Among the suspects arrested were a person working at the Algerian Consulate in Kreel, a suburb in Paris – a detail that further provoked bilateral tension.
Why did Algeria object so strongly to arrest?
Algeria has denied any partnership in the kidnapping and condemned the arrest of its consular employee. In a statement, the Algerian Foreign Ministry accused France of “an attempt to humiliate Algeria, did not consider for the consular position of this agent, disregarded all diplomatic customs and practices, and in major violations of relevant conferences and treaties.”
While the relations between France and Algeria have been delicate for a long time, they took a turn for a worse in 2024 when French President Emmanuel Macron supported Morocco’s stance on Algeria in the disputed Western Sahara region, the parent said. Algeria proceeded after Algeria imprisoned Bullem Sons by Algeria, a French-Algerian writer of Islamism and Algeria. Mr. Sons, now 75, was sentenced to five years, one step Macron has publicly criticized, urged his release.
Was there any effort in reconciliation?
In the end of March 2025, there were signs of harmony when Macron spoke with President Tebbaune on a phone call. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barot also visited Alzirs in April, suggesting that a melting was going on. But the collective expulsion of diplomats – the largest since the independence of Algeria from France in 1962 marks a dramatic inverter. This highlights the constant strength of the anti-spirit within parts of the Algerian leadership, the BBC said.
What is France’s official status on expulsion?
France rejected Algeria’s justification for diplomatic expulsion. “Dialogue, always, but not one-way,” Mr. Barot posted on X (East Twitter), called Algeria’s move “inappropriate and out of understanding”.
The Algerian officials have chosen the climb: we reply as per the declaration of the answer. In response to their inappropriate and understanding decision, we expel 12 Algerian agents and recall our ambassador for consultation. Dialogue, always, but not one.
-In-Noel Barot (@Jnbarrot) 15 April, 2025
CNN reported that the French government has recalled its ambassador for Alzires for consultation and accused Algerian officials of being responsible for “a cruel decline in our bilateral relations”.
As the two countries navigate a new wave of mistrust, the questions remain on whether their long and complex post-colonial relations can find more stable legs.