Algeria has expelled 12 French consular staff members, escalating diplomatic tensions between the two nations. The Algerian Foreign Ministry cited France’s arrest of an Algerian consular official as the primary reason for the expulsions, accusing France of violating diplomatic protocols. The official is among three Algerians arrested in connection with the April 2024 kidnapping of Amir Boukhors, a France-based critic of the Algerian government. Boukhors, also known as Amir DZ, was abducted near Paris and later released; he has lived in France since 2016 and was granted political asylum in 2023.
In response, France has declared that Algeria has threatened to expel 12 of its diplomatic staff within 48 hours following tensions over the detention of the Algerian consular agent. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot warned that France would respond immediately if the expulsions proceed.
These developments come amid a backdrop of strained relations between France and Algeria, influenced by historical grievances and contemporary geopolitical issues. Notably, France’s support for Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara has been a point of contention, as Algeria has historically supported the Polisario Front’s claim to the region. The expulsion of the French consular staff members marks a significant escalation in the diplomatic crisis, signaling potential further deterioration in bilateral relations.
