“Yesterday, Algerian travelers with valid visas suffered an ordeal upon arrival at French airports, particularly in Paris. Behind this punitive action is (French Interior Minister) Bruno Retailleau,” government daily El Moudjahid said on Tuesday.
“A hateful figure,” Mr. Retailleau “orchestrates a policy of humiliation directly targeting Algerians,” the paper continued.
The French ambassador was summoned to Algiers on Tuesday to denounce the “degrading treatment” to which Algerian passengers arriving at Parisian airports were allegedly subjected, according to an official statement posted on Facebook. It read:
“Algeria notes with deep concern the consistent testimonies of a number of Algerian nationals regarding provocative, degrading, and discriminatory treatment to which they are subjected by the Border Police at Roissy Charles-De-Gaulle and Orly airports.
“Following confirmation of the veracity of this information, the Secretary of State to the Minister of Foreign Affairs in charge of the national community abroad, Mr. Sofiane Chaib, summoned the French ambassador to Algeria, to inform him of the Algerian government’s firm protest against such totally unacceptable actions.
“He also affirmed Algeria’s categorical rejection of any attack, in any way whatsoever, on the dignity of its citizens, or of using them for the purposes of pressure, provocation or attempted intimidation against their country.
“The Secretary of State asked the Ambassador to inform his government of the need to take all necessary measures to ensure that these unacceptable actions and practices, which dishonor the French government, are brought to an immediate end.”
The statement is dated Jan. 28, 2025, in Algiers, with the government site listed, www.mfa.gov.dz.
As Remix News has reported, relations between France and Algeria have been souring for some time. Last summer, Paris announced its support for Morocco’s autonomy plan for the disputed territory of Western Sahara, while the European Parliament passed a resolution last week demanding that Algeria release imprisoned critics of the current government, including the writer Boualem Sansal. This last led to the Pan-African Parliament slamming Brussels’ interference in the internal affairs of African states.
In the meantime, Algerian influencers on French territory have been causing more and more disruptions, with posts to their followers calling for violence against those opposed to the Algerian regime.
Just last week, seven influencers were arrested. When one of these, “Doulamen,” was sent back the same day by Algeria to Paris after having been deported by the government, French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau stated that “Algeria is seeking to humiliate France” and that France will have “no other option than to retaliate.” He has since threatened to cut the number of short-term Schengen visas issued to Algerian nationals.
Further contributing to bad relations is the wave of crimes committed by Algerians in France, from robbing the elderly at knifepoint to gang rapes, theft, and other obscene violent crimes.
