Algeria and France in diplomatic freefall amid kidnapping scandal

France announced on Tuesday it will expel 12 Algerian diplomatic and consular officials and recall its ambassador from Algiers for consultations, in a move that signals a major deterioration in already fragile bilateral relations.

The decision follows Algeria’s expulsion of 12 French diplomats earlier this week, a response to the arrest in France of an Algerian consular employee suspected of involvement in the kidnapping of an opposition activist on French soil. The detainee was one of three men charged with kidnapping and unlawful detention in connection with what French prosecutors have described as a “terror-related” abduction.

This latest escalation marks a sharp reversal from the tone set just days ago by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, who had indicated that relations between the two countries were on the path to normalization.

Tensions between Paris and Algiers have long been rooted in the colonial legacy and diverging geopolitical alliances. However, relations took a decisive turn for the worse in 2024 when French President Emmanuel Macron publicly recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara— a position Algeria vehemently opposes as it continues to back the separatist Polisario Front.

Algeria, governed by a military-dominated regime since independence in 1962, remains diplomatically aligned with Iran, Venezuela, Hamas, and Hezbollah .

Algeria’s antagonistic stance toward Israel, marked by virulent rhetoric and a consistent refusal to engage diplomatically, further distances it from Western positions in the Middle East.

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s government has faced increasing international scrutiny over its repressive domestic policies, including curbs on political dissent, restrictions on press freedom, and support for controversial actors in the international arena.

The recent diplomatic fallout with France underscores the fragility of the Franco-Algerian relationship, shaped as much by historical grievances as by conflicting strategic interests. As both countries navigate the current crisis, observers warn of broader implications for regional stability, counterterrorism cooperation, and migration policy across the Mediterranean.