The French president, Emmanuel Macron, is slated to visit Algeria on August 25 with the aim of reviving deteriorating bilateral ties after a period of friction that peaked late last year following controversial remarks about Algeria’s political landscape.
During a 2023 meeting with the grandchildren of key figures from the Algerian war of independence, Macron referred to Algeria as a political military system rooted in historical rent and accused a segment of official memory of being rewritten. Those comments sparked a strong reaction from Algiers, which summoned its ambassador and conveyed its displeasure through formal protests. The episode underscored a diplomatic rift and highlighted the sensitivity surrounding memory and national narrative in Franco-Algerian relations.
Subsequent moves by France included a notable reduction in the issuance of visas to Algerian citizens, a decision tied to perceptions that Rabat and Tunis cooperation on deportations were not fully forthcoming. The visa policy pause added to mutual unease and fed a cycle of messaging on cooperation and border security across both capitals.
Macron’s upcoming visit, which is scheduled to conclude on August 27, signals a deliberate effort to reframe dialogue around shared interests and regional challenges. In comments ahead of the trip, Macron described the aim as deepening bilateral relations and looking to the future for the benefit of the peoples of both nations. He emphasized strengthening Franco-Algerian cooperation on regional issues and committing to work on improving historical memory as part of a broader reconciliation process.
The visit follows a recent phone conversation between Macron and Algeria’s president, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, in which condolences were exchanged regarding devastating wildfires that affected Algeria and resulted in significant loss of life. This gesture of sympathy was noted in the official Elysee communiqué and appears to be part of a broader effort to restore warmth in the bilateral relationship.
It is worth noting that the timing of the visit coincides with the 60th anniversary of the Evian Accords, which on March 18, 1962, marked the end of hostilities between Algerian rebels and the French army and paved the way for Algeria to gain independence on July 5, 1962 after more than a century of colonial rule. The anniversary serves as a historical backdrop to contemporary discussions about memory, reconciliation, and cooperation between Algiers and Paris, and it frames the visit within a larger context of redefining their postcolonial relationship as both nations navigate regional dynamics and shared security concerns.