France and Algeria Resume Fragile Dialogue Amid Diplomatic Strains and Economic Fallout

Watan-French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot is set to arrive in Algeria on Sunday, where he will meet with his counterpart Ahmed Attaf to “solidify” the resumption of dialogue on the most sensitive issues hindering bilateral relations, including migration.

This week, Barrot told parliamentarians that France must “take advantage” of the diplomatic window opened by the French and Algerian presidents “to achieve results” on matters of migration, justice, security, and the economy.

Following a phone call on Monday, Emmanuel Macron and Abdelmadjid Tebboune agreed on the principle of restarting bilateral relations and tasked their foreign ministers with giving a “swift” new push to these ties.

France and Algeria Seek Reset After Months of Diplomatic Turmoil

This agreement marked the end of an unusually severe eight-month diplomatic crisis that had brought France and Algeria to the brink of a diplomatic break.

The tensions were fueled by migration issues and the arrest of Boualem Sansal in mid-November, especially after Paris expressed support in July 2024 for Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara—a position that contradicts Algeria’s support for the independence-seeking separatists.

Barrot’s visit aims to “define an ambitious bilateral action plan, set up operational mechanisms,” and develop shared goals along with a timeline for implementation, according to French Foreign Ministry spokesperson Christophe Lemoine on Thursday.

In preparation for Barrot’s visit, Macron gathered several ministers involved in Algerian relations on Tuesday.

Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, who has taken a hardline stance in recent months, expressed “hope” that Algeria will “strictly implement” the 1994 bilateral migration , which “states that Algeria must accept on its territory the Algerian nationals whom Paris wants to deport.”

Obstacles to Dialogue

France and Algeria resumed diplomatic dialogue on Sunday after months of tensions that harmed Paris’s economic interests in Algeria and were marked by mutual accusations of humiliation and obstruction of vital security cooperation.

While France and Algeria have had strained ties for decades, relations took a significant downturn in July 2024 when Macron angered Algeria by endorsing a plan for Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara.

French officials claim that Algeria is actively pursuing a policy aimed at erasing France’s economic presence from the country, with trade falling by as much as 30% since the summer.

They warn that deteriorating relations have serious security, economic, and social consequences, given the extensive trade ties and the fact that roughly 10% of France’s 68 million residents have Algerian roots.

Trade Tensions Deepen as Algeria Shuns French Wheat Amid Diplomatic Rift

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot told lawmakers on April 1: “It is in the interest of France and the French people to achieve results in the fields of migration, judicial, security, and economic cooperation.”

French officials also report that Algeria has created barriers to administrative licensing and new financing for French companies operating in the country. The wheat trade has been among the most affected.

Traders say the diplomatic rift has led Algeria’s state grain agency, OAIC, to implicitly exclude French wheat and suppliers from import tenders since October. The agency, however, claims it deals fairly with all suppliers and applies uniform technical standards.

France has shipped only one wheat cargo to Algeria during the 2024/2025 season—a single 30,000-ton shipment in July. This contrasts sharply with the millions of tons exported annually in recent years.

A French grain trader commented on Barrot’s visit: “People are talking about it, but they’re waiting to see concrete results.”

He added, “We definitely need another buyer for our wheat.”