French President Emmanuel Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune held a phone conversation on Monday, agreeing to revitalize their strained bilateral relationship. The renewed partnership aims to restore security and migration cooperation, which had been disrupted by months of diplomatic tensions, according to a joint communiqué.
During the call, Macron expressed confidence in Tebboune’s leadership and urged the Algerian president to show clemency towards Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal, who was sentenced to five years in prison by an Algerian court last Thursday. The case has sparked concerns over freedom of expression and further complicated diplomatic ties.
The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to reestablishing the constructive dialogue initiated with the Algerian Declaration of August 2022, which previously led to significant steps in addressing historical memory between the two nations. The communiqué emphasized that the strong human, strategic, and security ties between France and Algeria—along with shared challenges in Europe, the Mediterranean, and Africa—necessitate a renewed, equal partnership.
On the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, Macron and Tebboune agreed to promptly resume security cooperation, particularly in the fight against terrorism and human trafficking. Additionally, they stressed the urgency of restarting migration cooperation, a major point of contention in recent months, aiming for practical solutions that meet the interests of both nations.
To accelerate these efforts, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot is scheduled to visit Algiers on April 6, with the goal of advancing diplomatic relations to the level desired by both leaders. Plans for a future meeting between Macron and Tebboune have also been discussed, though no details have been confirmed.
The Franco-Algerian relationship suffered a major setback in July 2024 when Macron expressed support for Morocco’s sovereignty plan over Western Sahara, a disputed territory backed by Algeria. Tensions further escalated in the fall with the arrest of Sansal, whose remarks to the French media outlet Frontières—known for its far-right stance—were deemed a threat to Algeria’s territorial integrity.
Migration issues have also been a source of friction. Algeria’s refusal to repatriate nationals facing deportation from France has caused frustration within the French government. The crisis reached a peak following the February 22 terrorist attack in Mulhouse, in which an Algerian national—who had been the subject of multiple repatriation requests denied by Algeria—killed one person, further straining relations between the two nations.
With both leaders now signaling a willingness to move forward, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether France and Algeria can successfully rebuild trust and cooperation.
