Relations between France and Algeria have been in a serious crisis since the summer of 2024, after France declared its support for recognising Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara, a territory formerly administered by Spain, while Algeria backs the Polisario Front, which is fighting for Western Sahara’s independence.
Tensions between Algiers and Paris then continued to escalate over several other issues, including the arrest of French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal.
Setting aside two years of prolonged diplomatic differences, France and Algeria agreed to strengthen security and defence cooperation during a meeting between Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and Alice Rufo in the capital Algiers. The two sides agreed to consider coordination on migration and judicial cooperation, especially in the fight against drug trafficking. Notably, during the visit, French Minister Alice Rufo travelled to Setif in north-eastern Algeria to commemorate the victims of the bloody repression by French colonial forces of pro-independence demonstrations on May 8, 1945.
According to historians, while France was celebrating victory over Nazi Germany and the end of the Second World War in Europe, demonstrations by Algerians demanding independence were suppressed by colonial troops for weeks, leaving thousands dead. This remains one of the most painful and sensitive memories in relations between the two countries.
The French Presidency stressed that President Macron’s approach to France–Algeria relations is based on being “honest with history” and “respectful of all related memories,” while acknowledging that the 1945 repression in Setif, Guelma, and Kherrata is a historical truth that France needs to face frankly.
Since taking office in 2017, President Macron has repeatedly sought to promote reconciliation with Algeria, especially through initiatives concerning memories of the colonial period and the war. However, this process has continuously faced obstacles due to bilateral political tensions as well as pressure from right-wing and far-right forces in France, which have called for a tougher stance towards Algeria.
In recent months, France and Algeria have made moves to ease tensions in their relations. Algeria has softened its stance on issues related to the colonial past, with its parliament passing an amended law condemning French colonialism, while removing provisions requiring France to issue a formal apology and provide broad compensation, a matter long considered sensitive in bilateral ties.
Algeria’s adoption of the amended law has helped partly ease its long-running dispute with France. In addition, the two sides have resumed high-level contacts. The return of the French Ambassador to Algiers is a positive signal, opening the door to bilateral dialogue. Amid the current risk of a global energy crisis, Algeria plays an important role in helping European countries, including France, diversify their oil and gas supplies.
Meanwhile, Algeria’s continued efforts to restore its influence in the Sahel are seen as a key factor in restarting Algeria–France relations, especially as Paris’ ties with other countries in the region are deteriorating.
Algeria plays an important role in helping France maintain its security and economic interests, at a time when France faces an urgent need to address challenges related to the migrant crisis and the fight against terrorism. Cooperation between France and Algeria is an important factor contributing to ensuring security on both shores of the Mediterranean.
The potential for security and economic cooperation is an important driving force prompting France and Algeria to set aside differences and strengthen dialogue. Although the relationship still faces many challenges, especially unresolved issues stemming from France’s conquest and colonisation of Algeria from 1830 to 1962, their current shared interests are helping bring the two countries closer together.
