France is taking attempts to move forward with Algeria after months of diplomatic tensions that were triggered by Paris’s decision to recognize Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara — a disputed territory in a long-running conflict between Morocco and Algeria.
The position of France angered Algeria, a defender of Western Sahara’s independence. The fallout added tension to an historically fraught relationship based on Algeria’s own colonial history under France.
Strains deepened in November when Algerian author Boualem Sansal, a celebrated writer, was arrested for telling French media that parts of western Algeria were once part of Morocco during colonial times. The 75-year-old was sentenced to prison by an Algerian court for “insulting institutions” and “sabotaging the economy.”
French officials, headed by President Emmanuel Macron, have also called for the release of Sansal, asking Algerian authorities to show clemency in the name of humanity. Justice Minister Éric Dupond-Moretti made that request again this week, describing it as a “gesture of humanity.”
Despite the cold diplomatic relations, France appears to be ready to turn the page. With Algeria’s leading role as Europe’s energy supplier and regional power, France views the resumption of relations as a political and strategic necessity.
Whether Algeria will be prepared to respond is still unclear, but France’s move is a bid to stabilize one of its most sensitive and important foreign relationships.
