Algeria has officially summoned the French ambassador, Stéphane Romatet, in response to shocking claims that France’s spy agency is trying to destabilize the country. The news, reported by local media over the weekend, has caused a major diplomatic storm between the two nations.
The controversy started when Algeria’s state-owned newspaper El Moudjahid revealed that France’s intelligence agency, the DGSE (Directorate-General for External Security), is allegedly recruiting former terrorists to stir up trouble in Algeria. The Algerian government reacted strongly, expressing its “firm disapproval” of what it called repeated French “provocations and hostile acts.” Diplomatic sources made it clear: Algeria would not let these actions slide without a strong response.
Tensions Boil Over Decades of Uneasy Relations
France and Algeria share a long and complicated history. Algeria was under French colonial rule for 132 years, enduring years of violence, until it gained independence in 1962. However, relations between the two countries have always been fragile, and recent events have pushed tensions to new heights.
One of the biggest triggers came when French President Emmanuel Macron reversed France’s stance on the disputed Western Sahara region. Macron endorsed a controversial Moroccan plan to control the territory—a move Algeria strongly opposes. Algeria backs the Polisario Front, a group fighting for the Sahrawi people’s independence in Western Sahara. Furious with France’s decision, Algeria recalled its ambassador to Paris earlier this year.
To make matters worse, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune canceled a long-planned visit to France and accused Paris of committing “colonial-era genocide” during its rule. The two countries haven’t been able to mend their differences since.
France Accused of Supporting Terrorist Groups
Now, the situation has escalated again. Reports suggest that French diplomats and agents have been meeting people known to be hostile toward Algeria’s government. Newspapers like El Moudjahid and Le Soir d’Algerie claim that Paris is working behind the scenes to support Algeria’s opponents, including groups labeled as terrorists.
For instance:
- Algeria’s Defense Ministry recently arrested 21 people attempting to smuggle weapons into the country from France. The suspects reportedly belong to MAK, a group pushing for independence in Algeria’s Kabylie region.
- The government also accuses France of supporting Rachad, an Islamist group Algeria considers a terrorist organization.
An Arrest Adds Fuel to the Fire
Amid the rising tensions, Boualem Sansal, a French-Algerian writer, was recently detained in Algeria. The Paris-based newspaper Le Monde claims his arrest might be connected to comments he made on a far-right French outlet. In his interview, Sansal reportedly repeated Morocco’s claims that Algeria benefited unfairly from colonial border changes.
What’s Next?
As Algeria warns that French “provocations” will not go unanswered, many wonder how far this latest clash will go. The two countries are at a breaking point, and every move—from political decisions to public accusations—seems to widen the divide. For Algeria, these are not just political games. It’s about defending its sovereignty, its people, and its past.
