Algeria defies France with mass return of expelled nationals post-Sahara policy shift

Since the official recognition of the Moroccan Sahara by Paris, Algeria has opened a new front against Emmanuel Macron and his government. After withdrawing its ambassador in Paris, the Algerian government is now opting for the systematic return of its nationals expelled from France.

In its Wednesday, August 7 edition, Le Canard enchaîné reports that «the situation has deteriorated since the Elysée Palace's recent stance in favor of Morocco on the subject of Western Sahara».

The French satirical weekly reports that on August 5, «Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin's office asked prefects for a precise update on 'blocking situations'». Quoting a senior civil servant, the media reports that «dozens» of Algerian nationals without residence permits and under an obligation to leave the country «are simply flying back and forth». Once back in France, they «are released».

Le Canard enchaîné points out that «this is not the first time» Algeria has retaliated against France by blocking expulsions of its nationals. In 2021, when the French government drastically reduced visa grants to Morocco, its eastern neighbor, and Tunisia, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune criticized Gérald Darmanin for a «lying» about Obligation to Leave French Territory figures.

Gabriel Attal, then spokesperson for the French government, justified the reduction in residence permits granted to nationals of the three countries by the «refusal» of their states to issue consular laissez-passer to citizens targeted for expulsion from France. Amidst a diplomatic crisis with Paris, Rabat reacted through its Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, describing the initiative as «unjustified» and the result of a Franco-French problem.

Following the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between Morocco and France, and the Elysée Palace's recognition of the Kingdom's sovereignty over the Sahara, the Algerian head of diplomacy threatened Paris with a range of sanctions beyond the withdrawal of the ambassador. At a press conference last week, Ahmed Attaf stated that he was «in the process of drawing the necessary conclusions from the French approach» and acting accordingly.