Macron to Visit Algeria in August, Aiming to Mend Strained Relations

Relations between Algeria and France should see a new start with the upcoming visit of the French president, Emmanuel Macron. Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune had addressed an invitation to his French counterpart in the congratulatory letter he sent him on April 25, the day after his re-election, reports TSA.

"In response to your invitation, I will be happy to come to Algeria soon to launch this new bilateral agenda together, built on trust and mutual respect for our sovereignties," Macron replied in his message to the Algerian president, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Algeria’s independence on July 5.

According to well-informed sources, the French president will likely be in Algiers on August 25. This will be his first visit to the country since Tebboune’s election in December 2019. The two leaders will discuss important issues such as memory, the economy, emigration, and also address thorny issues such as the extradition of Algerian opponents, bloggers or activists.

In September 2021, Macron had made controversial statements about the Algerian political system. Before these statements, France had drastically reduced the number of visas granted to Algerian nationals. In response, Algeria had banned French military aircraft from the Barkhane operation from overflying its territory and recalled its ambassador to Paris. The latter returned to his post in January 2022.