French-Algerian Tensions Escalate: Media War and Political Backlash Reignite Diplomatic Crisis

According to TSA Algérie, the French media, particularly those of the Bolloré group, have resumed their campaign against Algeria this week. This stigmatization of Algerians would have gained momentum with the appointment of Bruno Retailleau to the Ministry of the Interior in September 2023, a few months before the French recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara in July 2024. Tensions between the two countries have escalated since the arrest of the far-right Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal at Algiers airport in November 2024, the mutual expulsion of diplomats, the arrest of an Algerian consular agent in France and the case of certain influencers, including that of Amir Boukhors, known as Amir DZ.

"To exist politically in France, you have to attack Algeria and Muslims," says a Franco-Algerian elected official. At the maneuver, Bruno Retailleau, supported by the right, the far right and a group from Emmanuel Macron’s Renaissance party. "When it comes to Algeria, there are very few voices that dare to contradict those who attack it. Pro-Algerians have become a very small minority," observes a specialist in Franco-Algerian relations. "Whenever we try to address certain issues, it’s extremely complicated, and even more so when it comes to Algeria," notes MP Sabrina Sebaihi in an interview with the YouTube channel of the Union Algérie.

Retailleau justifies his anti-Algerian discourse by Algiers’ refusal to take back its nationals subject to an Obligation to leave French territory (OQTF), the Minister of the Interior is supported by nostalgics of French Algeria and openly hostile figures to Algeria, including Franco-Algerians. "People hostile to Algeria now speak openly, the media have opened the doors to them, which was not the case before. These people are joined by opportunists who try to use Algeria to exist politically," develops a Franco-Algerian, specialist in relations between Paris and Algiers.

According to him, pro-Moroccan and pro-Israeli lobbies would have joined this campaign. "In France, the anti-Algerian software is maintained by hostile lobbies who are particularly seeking to influence Algeria’s position on the Palestinian issue," he analyzes, recalling that pro-Israelis like Olivier Pardot, Benyamin Netanyahu’s lawyer, and Éric Zemmour, have recently described Algeria as the "Iran of the Maghreb", calling to "fight this country every day". At the same time, the lawyer expressed his support for the Moroccanness of the Sahara.