Blitz Bureau
ALGIERS: Diplomatic relations between France and Algeria have reached a new low following Algeria’s recent expulsion of 15 French diplomatic agents, intensifying an already volatile situation marked by mutual distrust and retaliatory measures, reported africanews.com.
On May 12, Algeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the French chargé d’affaires in Algiers to inform him that 15 French officials were being expelled for holding “irregular positions.” The move follows a series of escalating actions between the two nations, including previous expulsions of diplomats on both sides.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot condemned Algeria’s decision as “unjustified,” vowing an immediate and proportionate response. “The departure of agents on temporary missions is unjustified and, as I did last month, we will respond immediately and in a strong and proportionate manner,” Barrot stated during a visit to Normandy.
Tensions between the two countries have been simmering for months, exacerbated by France’s support for Morocco’s autonomy plan over the disputed Western Sahara region – a stance that Algeria perceives as a betrayal of its longstanding position supporting the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination
