Algiers – Anne-Marie Descôtes, Secretary-General of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, arrived in Algiers this evening for a visit described by analysts as a cautious step toward rebuilding ties after a turbulent 18 months. This visit follows a period of strained relations that began in June 2024.
The diplomatic rift was triggered by French President Emmanuel Macron’s support for Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara, a move Algeria perceived as a strategic shift undermining its regional interests and weakening the Polisario Front. Descôtes’s visit is seen as the commencement of a de-escalation process, with early indications including the recent release of Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal in November 2024.
Political science and international relations professor Ahmed Agabou stated that “Descôtes’s visit is not merely a formality but a crucial juncture after the most challenging 18 months in Algerian-French relations since independence.” He emphasized that Macron’s backing of the Moroccan plan was viewed in Algiers as a direct threat to its regional interests and its longstanding support for the Polisario Front.
Agabou highlighted Sansal’s release on November 12th as “an initial sign of a potential new chapter marked by gradual de-escalation between Algiers and Paris.” He also noted that the selection of Anne-Marie Descôtes for this mission reflects Paris’s seriousness in handling this sensitive matter.
“Descôtes, a seasoned diplomat, previously served as France’s ambassador to Germany from 2017 to 2022, becoming the first woman to hold that position in Berlin after German reunification,” Agabou explained. Her experience and diplomatic acumen are expected to play a crucial role in navigating the complexities of the Algerian-French relationship.
While significant challenges remain, Descôtes’s visit represents a tangible effort to mend fences and explore avenues for renewed cooperation between Algeria and France. The coming weeks will be critical in assessing the progress of this diplomatic initiative.
