Will Nunez succeed in restoring the sparkle to the deteriorating “Algerian-French” relations? – New Algeria

seek French administration Striving to restore the sparkle to bilateral “Algerian-French” relations, after more than two years of estrangement and growing political and diplomatic tensions, in the wake of many thorny issues that are still subject to disagreement to this day, amid the rise of “effective and balanced” voices calling for the necessity of bringing a rapprochement in positions and viewpoints between the two sides, in a way that serves common economic and geopolitical interests, in light of the fluctuations and challenges witnessed in the international arena today.

Given Paris’s urgent need to restore its deteriorating relations with… AlgeriaAfter many months of increasing campaigns of escalation and hostility led by prominent right-wing parties, led by former French Interior Minister Bruno Rutayo, he announced his successor at the head of the ministry. Laurent Nunez He will officially head to Algeria next week to discuss a number of thorny issues, including the issue of the arrest of French journalist Christophe Glez, who has been imprisoned in Algeria since May 2024 on charges related to “glorifying terrorism,” in addition to discussing the issue of Algeria accepting to receive its citizens against whom orders have been issued to leave French territory (OQTFIn addition to discussing strengthening joint intelligence cooperation in the field of combating terrorism, according to what was reported by Agence France-Presse. She indicated that the French Interior Minister will visit Algeria on Monday, February 16 and Tuesday, February 17, to discuss these sensitive issues in light of ongoing diplomatic tensions between the two countries.

This visit, which was announced several months ago, was finally confirmed last Thursday, according to what was reported by those close to the French minister. Nunez also had a lengthy phone call with his Algerian counterpart to prepare for the visit, which is seen as the first indication of a possible breakthrough in relations on both sides of the Mediterranean, according to the French agency. A few days ago, the French minister confirmed that he had already received an invitation from his Algerian counterpart and that he “will respond to it,” indicating in a statement to the channel: BFMTV The French newspaper noted that “work is underway to prepare the conditions for this visit, praising “the resumption of joint security coordination and cooperation between the two countries.” In this regard, Nunez explained that he will discuss in Algeria “security issues, especially the issue of returning Algerian immigrants deported from France, combating terrorism, as well as combating drug trafficking.”

Waiting for signs of a response from Algeria..

At the beginning of this February, the French Minister of the Interior announced that he was “awaiting signs of a response from Algeria to Paris’s demands related to the return of Algerian citizens residing irregularly in France, as well as regarding the case of the imprisoned journalist Christophe Glez, who has been arrested since last May on terrorism-related charges.” Nunes and his counterpart, Algerian Interior Minister Said Saioud, are expected to address other hot issues, most notably Algeria’s acceptance of its citizens ordered to leave French territory, and intelligence cooperation in the field of combating terrorism, in addition to requests Extradition of wanted persons submitted by Algeria to France.

Algerian-French relations have deteriorated significantly since the summer of 2024, following the confession France The alleged Moroccan sovereignty over the occupied territories of Western Sahara, an area subject to international dispute and classified as part of decolonization. Algeria had previously withdrawn its ambassador to Paris, Said Moussi, in August 2024, in protest against France’s departure from its neutrality in the Western Sahara issue, and considering Morocco’s alleged autonomy plan “the only solution” to the conflict. In April 2025, France, in turn, summoned its ambassador to Algeria, Stephane Romatet, to Paris for consultations, following a severe crisis characterized by the mutual expulsion of diplomatic officials..

Two years ago, crises continued between Paris and Algeria, with the intensity of the French campaigns of escalation and hostility towards Algeria escalating, including Paris accusing an Algerian diplomat of trying to kidnap a social media activist residing in France accused of terrorism. Algeria responded at the end of April 2025, by expelling twelve employees from the French embassy in Algeria, and the same measure was taken for Paris, which was read at the time as an “unprecedented” tension in relations. “French Algerian in recent years.

Recently, Algeria declared the French ambassador, Stephane Romatet, “persona non grata” against the backdrop of statements he made during a television program in France that addressed Algerian-French relations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that the “France 2” program in which the French ambassador appeared was a fabric of lies and slander, and represented an attack on the Algerian state, its institutions and symbols. Subsequently, the Ministry summoned the French Chargé d’Affaires in Algiers to protest the broadcast of the program, pointing out the responsibility of the official French channel and its guardian, and that this behavior would not have occurred without the support or official silence of the French authorities, which is considered a violation of international norms.

Regarding the upcoming visit to Algeria, French MP Sabrina Sabaihi said in statements to Agence France-Presse that “there are positive signals coming from both sides,” explaining that “the Algerian side transferred Christophe Glez to a place near Algiers, amid preparations to discuss the issue of repatriating deported migrants, while the French Minister of the Interior said that he will go to Algeria. Perhaps we are facing a moment of calming the crisis.”

The last visit of a French Interior Minister to Algeria dates back to the end of 2022, when Gerald Darmanin visited it. As for his successor, Bruno Rotayo, known for his hatred and extreme hostility towards Algeria, he raised additional tensions, as he adopted on several occasions an escalatory tone, especially regarding the joint migration agreement signed. The release of the writer Boualem Sansal, who was imprisoned for nearly a year, and was released with a presidential pardon, after “false” statements he made regarding With national unity.

Playing a mediation role.

In the face of these tensions and complications in relations, active French circles are seeking to try to play a mediation role to revive Algerian-French relations, which have witnessed an unprecedented deterioration for more than two years, driven by numerous disagreements and tensions over common issues and files, in conjunction with systematic hostile campaigns launched by French parties targeting Algeria, including the issue of immigration, visas, security and consular cooperation, all the way to the file of shared historical memory. After a series of escalating disputes that brought bilateral relations to a dead end, the former Socialist Minister and President of the “France Algeria” Association, Ségolène Royal, visited Algeria a few days ago, where she was received by the President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, and was granted permission to visit journalist Christophe Glez, who was sentenced to seven years in prison on charges of “glorifying terrorism.” During this visit, which she initiated personally in her capacity as President of the France-Algeria Association, Royal presented herself as a mediator seeking to “rebuild the friendship between France and Algeria.”

The French Foundations Movement “MEDAF” also announced an upcoming meeting of its members next February 17, in the presence of the “unwanted” French ambassador to Algeria, Stephane Romatet, to discuss ways and mechanisms to restore momentum to the economic partnership between Algeria and France. A statement by the French professional organization “MEDAF”, published on its website, said: “The recent bilateral visits of senior officials in the two countries testify to a gradual improvement in French-Algerian relations, which would create a positive climate for economic dialogue and the launch of concrete projects that serve the business communities in both countries,” adding in this regard that “the upcoming meeting aims to review the path of political improvement that has begun between France and Algeria, while highlighting its positive repercussions on business relations.” In addition to presenting the current and future economic and investment opportunities in Algeria, as well as the conditions for accessing the market; Leading to discussing organizing an upcoming visit by “MEDAF International” to Algeria, within the framework of a business mission.”

Abdo.H