Bruno Retailleau Rekindles Tensions Between Algeria and France
Bruno Retailleau reignites the confrontation. The French Minister of the Interior renewed his attacks on Algeria on Wednesday, April 23, calling for a “balance of power” and threatening to take “new measures.”
Speaking on BFMTV and RMC, he discussed his meeting with the 12 French agents expelled from Algeria, stating, “They were deeply shocked.”
In response to the arrest and detention of an Algerian consular agent on April 3 in Paris, Algeria requested on April 14 that 12 French agents working at the embassy and consulates in France leave the country within 48 hours. These agents fall under the authority of the Minister of the Interior.
France took a similar measure on April 16, expelling 12 Algerian consular agents and recalling its ambassador to Algeria for consultations.
In the aftermath, the Secretary of State for the National Community Abroad, Sofiane Chaib, stated that Bruno Retailleau “fully assumes responsibility for this new situation created in a very specific context,” while the two countries were emerging from an eight-month crisis.
The French Minister of the Interior later returned on April 23 to discuss his meeting with the expelled agents. “I spoke to them individually, and all of them were very shocked. Some of them left their families behind, with young children in school, while others have wives or families who are Algerian. So, it’s not only a professional break but also an emotional and familial one,” he explained.
Crisis with Algeria: Bruno Retailleau Reveals His “Next Step” Regarding the situation’s developments after the recent events, Bruno Retailleau stated that “there has been no progress.”
“Boualem Sansal (…) has not been released. Every day, or almost every day, Algeria sends us individuals with OQTF (Obligations to Leave French Territory), documented individuals that it should be accepting if it respected its obligations and the 1994 agreement between us,” he accused.
“For now, we’re at this point, and if things stay this way, I don’t see why we wouldn’t take new measures,” Bruno Retailleau threatened again, reiterating that “a balance of power” must be established.
While emphasizing the importance of diplomacy to resolve the situation, he added, “If nothing changes, I think we won’t be able to let it go.”
The next measure he proposes is questioning the 2013 agreement that exempts Algerian and French diplomatic passport holders from visa requirements. This measure, according to him, could “be the next step” and would target “the nomenclature and Algerian diplomats.”
“This is an exception compared to other Maghreb countries… I think this agreement should be suspended, and there are also other options and means,” added Bruno Retailleau.
