France implements “graduated response” in escalating Algeria tensions

Amid a mounting diplomatic crisis between France and Algeria, French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau confirmed on Sunday the implementation of a “graduated response” targeting Algeria. Retailleau disclosed that certain Algerian nationals have already been denied entry at Roissy Airport and returned to their country of origin.

“We have already enforced measures at our borders, particularly at Roissy, where we now require a mission order for Algerians presenting a diplomatic passport at our checkpoints. Some Algerian nationals have consequently been sent back to their country,” the minister stated in an interview with Le Figaro. His remarks come just two days after President Emmanuel Macron made efforts to ease tensions with Algeria.

Retailleau defended the measures, describing the approach as “the most effective graduated response.” He elaborated, “It allows us to begin with individual actions, particularly targeting members of the Algerian nomenklatura.”

A source close to the matter revealed that one such incident involved the wife of Algeria’s ambassador to Mali. She was reportedly denied entry into France on the grounds that she lacked the necessary travel documents.

“Barely hours after the French president’s conciliatory remarks, his Interior Minister escalated tensions further, instructing border police to refuse entry to the wife of Algeria’s ambassador to Mali, claiming she lacked funds,” Algeria’s state news agency, APS, reported on Saturday.

The APS agency disputed the French government’s justification, asserting that the diplomat’s wife had all required documents, including a certificate of accommodation, insurance papers, and her husband’s credit card. APS described the move as “the ultimate provocation” by the French Interior Minister.

This latest incident follows weeks of inflammatory remarks by Retailleau against Algeria. On Friday, President Macron addressed the issue for the first time, calling on both nations to “reengage in substantive work” regarding their immigration agreements.