France’s Double Talk Undermines Laurent Nunez’s Visit

In a move that is likely to escalate tensions between Algeria and Paris, French police, according to a dispatch from the Algerian Press Agency, arrested journalist and analyst at the Algerian International Channel, Al 24 News, Mehdi Ghezzar, in Paris on Tuesday evening. The reason given was that he is listed in the “S” file, as well as in the file of wanted persons, both of which are exceptional mechanisms reserved for individuals deemed to pose a serious threat to public security, according to the French.

Mehdi Ghezzar had previously been removed from “RMC” radio, where he was one of the widely heard voices on the program “Les Grandes Gueules,” due to his stances on the war of annihilation in Gaza. Since then, Ghezzar has complained about his repeated arrests every time he passes through Paris airports, whether upon entry or exit, amidst a climate of hostile escalation, according to the same source, which confirmed that despite the departure of former French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, nothing has changed, as his methods remain entrenched within the institutions of the French Republic.

This provocation contradicts the de-escalation messages sent by French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez to Algeria, as the facts on the ground appear completely different, and French provocations against Algerian nationals continue, confirming that what journalist Mehdi Ghezzar of Algeria International Channel experienced is merely the tip of the iceberg.

It is unfortunate for Bruno Retailleau’s successor at the “Beauvau” palace that the party involved in the latest provocation against the Algerian journalist, who resides legally on French soil, is the French police, whose oversight falls under the responsibility of the Interior Minister. The minister had adopted a remarkably conciliatory tone towards Algeria since taking office at the “Beauvau” palace more than two months ago.

This indicates that the threads of managing the escalating political and diplomatic crisis with Algeria far exceed those advocating for reconciliation within the French state apparatus, especially the Interior Minister.

What is noteworthy is that Laurent Nunez had stated less than a week ago that he was still ready to visit Algeria, in response to an invitation he said he received from his Algerian counterpart, Said Saayoud. This incident, which is just one episode in a series of discriminatory treatment of Algerian travelers at French airports and ports, raises questions about the fate of that visit, whose date has not yet been set, despite weeks having passed since its announcement.

Many observers of Algerian-French relations question the seriousness of the French side in talking about opening a new chapter with Algeria. Others go further, speaking of pockets of resistance within the Interior Ministry in particular, who still owe allegiance to former Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, known for his obsession with everything related to Algeria.

The recent incident involving journalist Mehdi Ghezzar resembles the provocation Algeria experienced in the incident of the Algerian consular official last April in France, who was kidnapped from the roadside in a Hollywood-like scene that bypassed consular laws and norms. This occurred directly after the visit of the then French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, to Algeria, embodying a state of de-escalation following the phone call initiated by then French President Emmanuel Macron with his Algerian counterpart, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune.

This incident, as is known, led to a violent Algerian reaction, represented by the expulsion of 12 French consular officials working at the French embassy in Algeria.

This incident constitutes a “setback” for the French Interior Minister’s discourse, known for his security background. He previously headed the French General Directorate for Internal Security (DSI) and is considered the top police officer in France, which places him at the heart of responsibility for this incident, which may have stripped his truce discourse of any credibility.

The Secretary-General of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Anne-Marie Descôtes, visited Algeria at the end of last month. Unusually, she arrived and departed without the usual media coverage of the visit, and no information leaked about the visit or the issues discussed. This indicates that the return of bilateral relations to their former state remains impossible, according to Benjamin Stora, an expert and specialist in Algerian-French relations, a few days ago.

Aside from official French statements that outwardly tend towards a truce, the realities on the ground suggest otherwise. There are consistent testimonies from Algerian travelers indicating poor reception and being made to wait longer than others at French airports and ports. This treatment was met with condemnation and denunciation by the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but the response to it remained very limited, according to travelers’ testimonies.