Rabat – Escalating tensions between Algeria and France continue as Algiers declared French ambassador Stephane Romatet persona non grata.
Algerian news outlet Al24 news said this week that Algiers’ decision came following his appearance in a France 2 investigation broadcast.
During his appearance in the documentary, Romatet recalled France’s decision to recognize Morocco’s territorial integrity and sovereignty over its southern provinces. France made their landmark stance in July 2024, after which Algeria recalled its ambassador to Paris.
“The Algerian diplomatic representation in France is now the responsibility of a charge d’affaires,” the Algerian foreign ministry stated at the time, denouncing Paris’ act.
In the televised program, the diplomat described the decision as a “carefully considered” action, emphasizing that the French government was not taken by surprise over Algiers’ reaction.
Tensions escalated in April of last year, when Algeria expelled 12 French diplomats. In response, Paris recalled its ambassador and expelled 12 Algerian diplomats and consular staff.
Romatet recalled Algiers’ move on the documentary, describing the act as causing “unprecedented sadness and unprecedented severity.”
In response to the French diplomat’s remarks, Algeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the charge d’affaires of the French embassy in Algiers last week.
The Algerian ministry said the documentary is a “clear attack on the Algerian state, its institutions, and its symbols,” accusing the French embassy and the ambassador of being personally involved in the “offensive media campaign.”
For Algeria, the channel’s actions are a new stage in the escalation of “hostile practices against Algeria.”
Relations between the two countries have been strained for years, especially since Algeria’s campaign to detain critics and its decision not to accept back its citizens deported from France.
