Algeria has formally ended a landmark 2013 agreement that abolished visa requirements for diplomats traveling between the country and France, marking a significant deterioration in bilateral relations.
The decision comes amid a series of disputes over immigration, historical memorials, and high-profile arrests, which have repeatedly reignited tensions between Paris and Algiers.
The 2013 agreement, signed during the presidencies of François Hollande and Abdelaziz Bouteflika, symbolised a period of diplomatic cooperation. By removing visa requirements for officials, it offered France a form of administrative privilege that is now being revoked.
From now on, even diplomats must justify their travel, effectively placing France on equal footing with other states in terms of administrative formalities.
Algerian authorities describe the move as reciprocal, citing France’s suspension of similar agreements in recent years. “France is no longer a separate partner; it is now subject to the same rules as all countries,” officials stated.
Analysts suggest that the measure reflects a broader shift in Algeria’s foreign policy, as the country seeks to diversify alliances and reduce its dependence on Paris.
Partnerships with China, Russia, and Turkey are being strengthened, while France’s influence in Africa has been declining following strained relations with Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
The timing of the decision also coincides with ongoing domestic political challenges in France, including the appointment of a new Prime Minister, which has limited Paris’ capacity to respond assertively.
Meanwhile, Algeria’s hardline stance is influenced by regional dynamics, including its opposition to France’s recognition of Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara—a move welcomed in Rabat but opposed in Algiers, which supports the Polisario Front.
Observers note that the suspension of diplomatic privileges is emblematic of Algeria’s intent to assert sovereignty and reduce French influence after decades of close—but increasingly strained—relations.
The move may further reshape diplomatic engagements in North Africa, underscoring a recalibration of power and alliances across the region.
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