Algeria has ordered 12 French embassy officials to leave the country within 48 hours, marking a sharp escalation in diplomatic tensions between the two nations. The announcement came on Monday, April 14, 2025.
The decision follows the arrest of three Algerian nationals in France, including an Algerian consular official, over their alleged involvement in the 2024 kidnapping of Algerian influencer Amir Boukhors, also known as Amir DZ. Boukhors, who is known for criticizing the Algerian government, was abducted in a suburb of Paris and released after 27 hours.
France’s Foreign Minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, condemned the expulsions and insisted that the affected diplomats had no link to the ongoing criminal investigation. He called on Algeria to reconsider the decision and warned that France would respond if the expulsions were carried out.
This latest move adds to the strain in an already tense relationship between France and Algeria, a former French colony. Friction has grown in recent years, especially after France backed Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara, a move that Algeria strongly opposed.
Despite recent efforts to repair ties—including talks between French President Emmanuel Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune—the current diplomatic fallout threatens to undo progress made toward renewed cooperation.
Observers say how both governments handle the situation in the coming days could have lasting effects on regional diplomacy and bilateral relations.
