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Rabat – In a revelation that has sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles, Le Journal du Dimanche (Lejdd) has revealed a comprehensive investigation into clandestine operations allegedly orchestrated by the Algerian regime on French soil.
According to the Lejdd, the Algerian government, under President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, has been actively involved in a campaign to suppress opposition voices abroad.
The exposé details a series of covert activities aimed at silencing political dissidents and exerting influence over the Algerian diaspora in France.
A senior French security official, speaking on condition of anonymity to Lejdd, asserts, “We possess concrete knowledge; Algerian services did not act independently.”
This includes attempts to abduct and/or intimidate prominent dissidents residing in France, such as YouTuber Amir DZ and journalist Abdou Semmar.
In one instance, Semmar was reportedly attacked in the Paris region, with his assailant fleeing to Algeria shortly thereafter. The French authorities have linked these incidents to operatives connected to the Algerian embassy, suggesting a coordinated effort to target critics of the regime.
The French Foreign Ministry has responded punitively by requesting that diplomatic immunity be lifted for the first secretary of the Algerian embassy – a move that demonstrates the severity of the situation.
The individual in question is suspected of playing a pivotal role in coordinating these clandestine operations. This unprecedented request reflects growing frustration within the French government over what it perceives as blatant violations of its sovereignty.
Lejdd’s investigation reveals that the Algerian regime may be executing a broader strategy to maintain control over its diaspora and suppress dissenting voices.
By targeting influential figures abroad, the government looks to deter criticism and reinforce its authority. This approach has raised concerns about the erosion of democratic principles and the use of state resources to stifle opposition.
Writers like Boualem Sansal and Kamel Daoud, both celebrated for their outspoken commentary and literary work, have also experienced sustained pressure and defamation campaigns originating from within Algeria.
Despite living in France, their critiques of the Algerian regime have made them persistent targets of state-aligned rhetoric and, at times, orchestrated media attacks. Their cases reflect a wider pattern: rather than engaging with dissent in the realm of ideas, authorities are increasingly opting for tactics of marginalization and character assassination to silence critics, even when they reside abroad.
Diplomatic freeze
These revelations have further strained the already complex relationship between France and Algeria. The French government is now faced with a significant challenge: how to address these covert activities while maintaining diplomatic ties.
Tensions between France and Algeria also remain at a standstill following Algeria’s sudden expulsion of twelve French officials in mid-April, a move that prompted reciprocal measures from Paris.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot described the relationship as “completely frozen”. Despite a visit by French lawmakers to Algeria this week to mark the anniversary of the May 8, 1945, massacres in Sétif, Barrot stressed that the diplomatic freeze persists.
“These massacres deserve to be commemorated,” he said, noting that the French embassy in Algiers laid a wreath for the occasion. “But the relationship remains blocked.”
France’s Ambassador to Algeria, Stéphane Romatet, recalled by President Emmanuel Macron, remains in Paris with no date set for his return.
Barrot placed the blame squarely on Algiers, calling the expulsions “brutal” and lamenting the personal toll on the affected staff. “These are men and women who had to leave their homes, their children, and their families overnight,” he said.
When asked whether further retaliation is on the table, Barrot pointed to previous restrictions placed on the movement of Algerian officials in France, adding, “I won’t rule out taking more. I won’t say when I will or won’t. That’s how diplomacy works.”
Moreover, according to information obtained by Lejdd, French President Emmanuel Macron has requested detailed reports to better assess the current state of relations with Algeria and determine how he should navigate the issue for the remainder of his term.
He has received several briefings, including in-depth notes from his diplomatic team and the North Africa-Middle East department of the French Foreign Ministry.
The ongoing hostility between Algeria and France is no mere coincidence; it is rooted in deeper political dynamics, particularly in the context of France’s support for Morocco’s territorial integrity.
In July of last year, France officially recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces in the Western Sahara with a letter from President Emmanuel Macron to King Mohammed VI. In the letter, Macron affirmed that the present and future of Western Sahara lie under Morocco’s control, endorsing the Moroccan Autonomy Plan as the sole viable solution to the long-standing dispute.
This move was followed by a State visit in October, during which Macron reiterated the decision in the Moroccan parliament, emphasizing that France’s stance was not meant to antagonize any country. His comments were a direct response to Algeria’s ongoing efforts to undermine France’s position, as the Algerian regime has long supported the Polisario Front and its destabilizing actions against Morocco.
Despite Algeria’s attempts to challenge Morocco’s territorial integrity and meddle in its affairs, France’s recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty marked a clear-cut shift.
As investigations continue, the international community watches closely to see how France will respond.
