The time is still far from the reconciliation between Paris and Algiers. In a communication, this Tuesday, April 15 in the evening, the Elysée announced “the expulsion of twelve agents” of the Algerian consular and diplomatic network. A measure in retaliation in Algiers, who, the day before, made the “sovereign” decision to expel 12 French agents, making French Minister Bruno Retailleau “bring the whole responsibility of this renewed tensions between Algiers and Paris.
In turn, France accuses Algeria of taking “the responsibility of a brutal degradation” of bilateral relations “, estimated the French presidency in a press release, while calling Algiers to” show responsibility “to” resume dialogue “. President Emmanuel Macron also decided to recall the French ambassador to Algiers, Stéphane Romate. France “, also said a French diplomatic source.
Read also: Kamel Daoud: “Algeria remains dependent on its former colonizer, France”
“Consternation”
In its press release, the Elysée expresses its “dismay” after this new sudden cold stroke which comes a fortnight after an appeal between President Macron and his Algerian counterpart Abdelmadjid Tebboune, supposed to relaunch relations after months of crisis. The Algerian authorities declared on Sunday persona non grata twelve French officials from the Ministry of the Interior, giving them 48 hours to leave Algeria, in response to the arrest in France, then to its detention, of an Algerian consular agent.
Read also: Jean-Louis Thiériot: “Our relationship with Algeria is a chimera that weakens France”
Algerian diplomacy indicated that this decision came after “the spectacular and ostentatious arrest, on the public highway, by the services under the supervision of the French Interior Ministry, of an Algerian” consular agent. An “unworthy act”, castigated the ministry, who awarded it to the French Minister of the Interior, believing that he intended to “demean” Algeria. According to the Algerian authorities, Bruno Retailleau “carries the entire responsibility of the turn that relations between Algeria and France take. This assured that” any other new attacking action by the French Minister of the Interior will receive (IT), on the basis of reciprocity, a firm and adequate response “.
“We will answer firmly”
“In this difficult context, France will defend its interests and will continue to demand from Algeria that it fully respect its obligations towards it, particularly with regard to our national security and cooperation in migration matters,” said the Elysée. According to Paris, “the very interest of France and Algeria is to resume dialogue”.
Read also: Emmanuel Macron, Bruno Retailleau and the diplomats against Algeria: the secret battle
This Tuesday evening on CNews, the Minister of the Interior, Bruno Retailleau, deemed “unacceptable, really unacceptable that France is a playground for the Algerian services”, and estimated that the response of the Elysée “Pararai (SSAIT) completely appropriate”.
On France 2 this Tuesday morning, the chief of French diplomacy Jean-Noël Barrot, visiting Algiers last week, had warned that the expulsions decided by Algeria would not be “without consequences”. “If Algeria chooses climbing we will respond with the greatest firmness,” said Jean-Noël Barrot, stressing that France will have “other choice than to take similar measures”.
