Africa-Press. The French Interior Minister, Laurent Nunez, is hosting his Algerian counterpart, Said Sayoud, in Paris for a “working visit,” reflecting ongoing efforts to normalize relations between the two countries after a period of political and diplomatic tension.
The visit follows discussions that Nunez held in Algeria last February, as part of joint efforts to reactivate channels of dialogue and cooperation between the two sides.
The talks are expected to focus on security issues and combating organized crime, in addition to migration and civil protection matters, which are key areas of cooperation between the two countries.
This visit aligns with a direction announced by the French president, Emmanuel Macron, to revive dialogue with Algeria based on “mutual respect” for the national interests of both parties, following months of tension in bilateral relations.
The crisis erupted in the summer of 2024 after Paris announced support for a proposal for self-governance under Moroccan sovereignty in Western Sahara, prompting Algeria to withdraw its ambassador from France in protest of the French stance. Tensions escalated further after the arrest of Algerian-French writer Boualem Sansal in Algeria in late 2024, before the Algerian president, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, granted him a pardon in 2025.
In recent months, there have been successive steps towards de-escalation in relations, the most notable being the visit of the French Minister of Justice, Gerald Darmanin, to Algeria to reactivate “judicial cooperation” and address several outstanding issues between the two sides, including the case of French journalist Christophe Glaz.
Observers believe that this new meeting reflects a mutual desire to move beyond previous disagreements and rebuild a practical partnership in security, judicial, and humanitarian matters of common interest.
