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After withdrawing its ambassador to Paris in July, in response to French President Emmanuel Macron's recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara, Algeria has escalated to economic sanctions. According to Reuters, Algeria «excluded French companies from a wheat import tender this week and required participating firms not to offer wheat of French origin».
The OAIC, Algeria’s national grain agency, reportedly purchased over 500,000 metric tons of wheat during a tender held on Tuesday. French companies were notably absent, and those involved in the tender were instructed not to propose French wheat, sources told Reuters. Although Algeria has not officially explained its decision to French companies, Reuters links it to France’s recent backing of the plan to place the Western Sahara region under Moroccan sovereignty.
Tebboune's criticism of France
The sanctions were imposed just three days after President Abdelmadjid Tebboune condemned France's recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara. He criticized France for supporting the «autonomy plan» while the Western Sahara issue remains under UN jurisdiction, accusing it of applying «double standards» as a member of the UN Security Council.
Tebboune also accused France of «genocide» during its colonial rule in Algeria. He demanded acknowledgment of these crimes, stating, «History must not be falsified», and argued that Algeria was part of a «great replacement» plan to displace its people and Christianize the country. Tebboune ended his remarks by announcing the indefinite postponement of his planned official visit to France.
Following Macron's announcement, Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf stated that the recall of Algeria's ambassador to France was «the first step», hinting that further actions might follow.
For the record, on June 14, the European Union condemned Algeria’s trade restrictions against Spain, imposed in 2022 after Spain supported the Moroccan autonomy plan for the Sahara. The European Commission stated that Algeria was violating its trade commitments under the EU-Algeria Association Agreement signed in 2002.
