Algeria recalls envoy, accuses Paris of ‘interference’ after Macron slams post-colonial ‘hatred of France’ amid migrant visa row
Algeria recalled its ambassador to France and accused its former colonizer of “interference,” after French President Emmanuel Macron criticized the country’s government. Meanwhile, a visa row has erupted between the two nations.
The ambassador was recalled on Saturday after French President Emmanuel Macron this week criticized the “political-military system” that emerged in Algeria after the former colony won independence in 1962, and supposedly formented a “hatred of France” in Algerian society.
“Was there an Algerian nation before French colonization?” Macron reportedly asked during a meeting on Thursday with descendants of Algerian war veterans, according to Le Monde.
Macron’s comments angered Algerian officials, and a statement from President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s office read on Algerian public television expressed “categorical rejection of the inadmissible interference in its internal affairs that these comments constitute.”
While Tebboune and Macron bicker over history, the two countries are currently embroiled in a more pressing dispute over visas. The French government announced on Tuesday that it would slash the number of visas available to people from Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia, complaining that those countries are not taking back enough of their illegal immigrants sent home by French authorities.
French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said on Wednesday that the number of visas issued for Algeria and Morocco will be reduced by 50 percent, while visas granted for Tunisian nationals will be reduced by two thirds.
Algeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs slammed what it called a “unilateral decision of the French government,” and summoned the French ambassador to Algiers.
“Was there an Algerian nation before French colonization?” Macron reportedly asked during a meeting on Thursday with descendants of Algerian war veterans, according to Le Monde.
Macron’s comments angered Algerian officials, and a statement from President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s office read on Algerian public television expressed “categorical rejection of the inadmissible interference in its internal affairs that these comments constitute.”
While Tebboune and Macron bicker over history, the two countries are currently embroiled in a more pressing dispute over visas. The French government announced on Tuesday that it would slash the number of visas available to people from Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia, complaining that those countries are not taking back enough of their illegal immigrants sent home by French authorities.
French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said on Wednesday that the number of visas issued for Algeria and Morocco will be reduced by 50 percent, while visas granted for Tunisian nationals will be reduced by two thirds.
Algeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs slammed what it called a “unilateral decision of the French government,” and summoned the French ambassador to Algiers.
AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
