Algeria summoned French Ambassador to Algiers Stéphane Romatet on Tuesday to express outrage over the alleged mistreatment of its nationals at Paris airports, according to Algeria’s Foreign Ministry social media X account.
The official statement reported that Algerian passengers faced “degrading” treatment by French border control at Roissy-Charles-De-Gaulle and Orly airports.
#بيان وزارة الشؤون الخارجية pic.twitter.com/bmLKB5KMUr
— وزارة الشؤون الخارجية| MFA-Algeria (@Algeria_MFA) January 28, 2025
The diplomatic rift between France and Algeria has grown following the airport incidents and the Algerian government demanded swift action. Sofiane Chaib, Algeria’s Secretary of State for National Communities Abroad, called the behavior of French authorities “unacceptable” and protested “provocative, degrading, and discriminatory” actions toward Algerian travelers.
Chaib has instructed Romatet to relay Algeria’s firm disapproval to Paris. The Algerian government insists that such actions “dishonor” France and demands immediate restorative measures. Algeria also rejected any attempt to use its citizens as political leverage or tools for intimidation.
This diplomatic tension follows months of deteriorating relations between the two nations. One of the contributing factors came in late July 2024, when France officially expressed support for Morocco’s Autonomy Plan for the Sahara. A few months later, Algeria’s frustration escalated with the detention of Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal in November 2024, followed by the arrests of several Algerian and Franco-Algerian influencers in France for advocating violence.
The situation further intensified when French media suggested that French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau was behind the mistreatment of Algerian passengers. Algeria’s government-controlled newspaper, El Moudjahid, accused Retailleau of orchestrating a “humiliation campaign” against Algerians.