France and Algeria in spiraling tensions over abduction case

Department of Research, Studies and International News 16-04-2025

Relations between France and Algeria have taken a sharp downturn following a reciprocal wave of diplomatic expulsions. The French government announced the expulsion of 12 Algerian diplomats on Tuesday, a move made in direct response to Algeria’s earlier decision to expel the same number of French diplomatic personnel from its territory.

This escalating diplomatic dispute follows the arrest of an Algerian consular staff member in France, accused of involvement in the abduction of a political activist. The individual in question was one of three Algerians charged by French prosecutors over the alleged kidnapping of Amir Boukhors, a vocal critic of the Algerian government who is widely known online by his pseudonym “Amir DZ.” Boukhors, a social media figure with over a million followers on TikTok, had been granted asylum in France in 2023.

The abduction reportedly occurred in the suburbs of Paris in April last year. Boukhors was held briefly and released the following day. French authorities have since brought formal charges against the suspects, including allegations of participation in a “terrorist conspiracy.” Among the individuals charged was an employee of the Algerian consulate, making this a highly unusual and diplomatically sensitive case. It is believed to be the first time France has detained a member of Algeria’s consular staff, prompting strong reactions from Algiers.

Following the arrests, Algeria swiftly retaliated by ordering 12 French diplomats to leave the country within 48 hours. In turn, France not only announced its own expulsions but also decided to recall its ambassador from Algiers, an unmistakable signal of the gravity with which Paris views the situation.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot confirmed that the expulsions were in direct connection with the arrests made in the abduction case. Meanwhile, the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs emphasized that if Algeria proceeds with its planned expulsion, it would be the first such incident involving French diplomats in Algeria since the North African nation gained independence from France in 1962.

Tensions between Paris and Algiers have been simmering for years, often flaring over issues of historical memory, migration, regional politics, and mutual allegations of interference. This latest episode has not only reignited those tensions but also threatens to undermine recent efforts at rapprochement.

Just days before the diplomatic fallout, Minister Barrot had met with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune in what had been seen as a positive step towards restoring bilateral cooperation. Barrot even publicly stated that relations were “back on track,” indicating optimism about future engagement.

However, the arrest of a consular employee appears to have derailed those tentative gains. Algeria has long considered Boukhors a criminal and has reportedly issued multiple international arrest warrants against him. The charges include fraud and accusations related to terrorism. Algiers has also formally requested Boukhors’ extradition, although French authorities have so far declined the request, citing his status as an asylum-seeker and the circumstances surrounding his abduction.

The broader geopolitical context adds yet another layer of complexity. France’s recent endorsement of Morocco’s autonomy proposal for Western Sahara, a territory also claimed by Algeria-backed Polisario Front, has already strained relations between the two countries. Algeria interpreted Paris’s move as a betrayal, and the political fallout has been palpable.

Further aggravating the situation was the recent imprisonment of Boualem Sansal, a French-Algerian writer, by Algerian authorities. The sentencing of the internationally recognized author sparked condemnation from French President Emmanuel Macron, who has publicly demanded his release, viewing the arrest as a suppression of freedom of expression.

Taken together, these developments point to a rapidly deteriorating diplomatic relationship. Analysts warn that if tensions continue to rise, both nations could find themselves in a prolonged state of estrangement, reversing years of cautious diplomacy and shared interests in areas like counterterrorism, migration, and trade.

For now, the tit-for-tat expulsions mark a low point in Franco-Algerian relations, and unless both sides move swiftly to de-escalate the situation, the diplomatic freeze could extend far beyond the immediate controversy.