Algeria would use its diaspora in France as an instrument of pressure as part of a strategy aimed at maintaining a certain control over its opponents, reports an article in the French magazine Le Point. According to the latter, Algeria would seek to exploit the patriotism of its nationals, whether dual nationals or not, to frighten and intimidate those who oppose the regime.
Le Point notably mentions the recent arrest of Algerian bloggers in France, accused of spreading hateful messages and inciting violence. The magazine underlines that this strategy, which uses leading figures as “the artisans of ordinary hatred”, aims to reinforce the image of a nation in danger, threatened by external powers, mainly France, Morocco and Israel .
The magazine explains that this technique, often used by the Algerian regime to divert attention from its own internal problems, is now turning against its opponents. The recurring accusation of interference by the “hand of foreigners” is put forward to justify government policy and strengthen national cohesion, by creating external enemies.
Le Point specifies that the Algerian authorities are using the mobilization of the diaspora to obtain political and diplomatic advantages, through various techniques such as the recruitment of influencers on social networks. The latter, often perceived as “sleeping soldiers”, are used to stimulate nationalist sentiments and advance the Algerian regime’s agenda.
Among the influencers involved, some are particularly active on platforms like TikTok, where they organize “live” events and spread speeches in support of the regime. This mobilization mainly aims to repress the Algerian opposition abroad, by targeting those who escape the country’s justice system, particularly in France, and who are not extradited despite international arrest warrants.
-Beyond the fight against opponents in exile, this Algerian strategy also seeks to conceal the reality of the repressive system in Algeria, despite the regime’s efforts to improve its international image through communication and patriotism campaigns aimed at of youth.
Figures critical of the regime are often described as “traitors” and are the subject of smear campaigns. Many of them, including journalists, political activists and even family members of opposition figures, face reprisals up to and including arrest. The case of the writer Boualem Sansal is a striking illustration of this.
Thus, if France seems to be the main target of this manipulation strategy, the ultimate objective seems to be to silence any form of Algerian opposition abroad and to maintain total control over the country’s image, even internationally.
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