Rabat – Despite reports of Paris sending notifications before the official announcement of a sensitive decision, Algeria’s government expressed its “surprise” and “astonishment” after Paris announced measures restricting movement and access for a number of Algerian dignitaries.
On Wednesday, Algeria’s Foreign Affairs Ministry issued a press release to denounce a “new provocation” from France. Algeria was not “at all informed” of the measures taken against “Algerian nationals holding special travel documents accepting them from visa formalities,” the ministry claimed.
It described the measure as “part of a long list of provocations, intimidations, and threats directed against Algeria.”
On Tuesday, France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot announced measures restricting movement and access to French territory for a number of “Algerian dignitaries.”
The French minister added that he was “Ready to take further steps” if French-Algerian cooperation is not resumed.
The statement came after French Minister of Interior Bruno Retailleau blamed Algeria for a recent knife attack carried out by a suspect of an Algerian national who was subject to several deportation attempts.
“French authorities made ten requests for consular passes to expel the attacker, an Algerian national, from Mulhouse,” Retailleau said last week, adding that it is “time to change gears with Algeria.”
“We need to establish a show of force,” he added, noting that France has been “kind enough” with Algiers.
Brewing tensions between the two countries have been ongoing for decades. The tension has especially deteriorated in recent months as a result of France’s decision to recognize Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces in Western Sahara.
In addition to recalling its ambassador to Paris due to Paris’ newfound Sahara decision, Algeria’s regime also took offense at recent visits to Morocco’s southern provinces by high-ranking French officials.
One of the visits saw France’s Culture Minister Rachida Dati tour Morocco’s southern provinces earlier this week.
This was the first such trip by a high-ranking French government official, signaling the deepening of the newfound diplomatic honeymoon between Paris and Raba.
