France-Algeria Diplomatic Tensions Escalate Over Visa Disputes

In an escalating diplomatic spat, French President Emmanuel Macron has directed his administration to strengthen visa restrictions on Algerian diplomats. This move, outlined in a letter to Prime Minister Francois Bayrou and viewed by Reuters, highlights growing migration and security issues between France and Algeria.

Macron has asked Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot to formally inform Algeria about the suspension of a 2013 visa exemption accord for diplomatic and official passport holders. He also requested support from other Schengen zone countries to implement this stricter visa policy, particularly in consulting France when granting short-stay visas under the 2013 agreement.

The diplomatic strain intensified following Macron's formal acknowledgment of Morocco's claim over Western Sahara, which has strained France-Algeria relations. This tension further escalated when Algeria detained Franco-Algerian author Boualem Sansal, and a recent incident involving an Algerian citizen in a deadly attack in Mulhouse prompted closer examination of existing migration policies by French authorities.

(With inputs from agencies.)