The release of Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal has ignited speculation regarding a potential de-escalation of tensions between France and Algeria. While this move signals a possible shift, a long road remains toward a lasting normalization of historically strained relations, currently experiencing an unprecedented crisis in decades.
French Ambassador to Algeria, Stéphane Romatet, stated, “We are entering a new phase that began several weeks ago,” following President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s pardon of Sansal. The writer had been sentenced to five years in prison on March 27th on charges of “undermining national unity.” The pardon reportedly came at the request of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
Sansal, in his eighties, arrived in Berlin last Wednesday to receive medical treatment before his potential return to France. Romatet indicated that the crisis between Paris and Algiers had reached a point requiring the intervention of a “trusted third party” to secure Sansal’s release.
The release is expected to provide impetus to the strained relations between the two countries, which deteriorated since late July 2024. The crisis began when President Emmanuel Macron announced his support for Morocco’s autonomy proposal for Western Sahara. Algeria responded by immediately recalling its ambassador from Paris.
Relations further soured following the arrest of an Algerian consular employee in France, accused of involvement in the kidnapping of prominent opposition activist Amir Boukhers. This incident led to reciprocal expulsions of diplomatic personnel.
The immediate priority now lies in resuming cooperation on security and immigration, given the volatile situation in Mali and the near-complete halt of deportation proceedings for Algerian migrants facing expulsion from France.
Macron-Tebboune Meeting on the Horizon?
Several significant steps toward normalizing relations are under consideration, starting with a phone call, or even a meeting, between the two presidents, both of whom are scheduled to attend the G20 summit on November 22nd and 23rd in Johannesburg.
One diplomatic source confirmed that “no bilateral meeting is currently scheduled, but we are working on it.” Another diplomatic source suggested that the G20 summit provides an “opportunity” for a presidential encounter. Macron acknowledged the release, stating…
