French Ambassador after cabinet reshuffle: “what will I say to Quai d'Orsay?”

French Embassy in Algiers failed to predict the appointment of Abdelmadjid Teboune as Prime Minister to succeed Abdelmalek Sellal. Former Ambassador Bernard Emié found himself in “trouble” and blamed his assistants. He told them “what will I say to Quai d’Orsay?”

The French Embassy in Algiers was surprised by the nomination of former housing minister Abdelmadjid Teboune as Prime Minister to succeed Abdelmalek Sellal. It failed to predict President Bouteflika’s plan, US news website Huffington Post reported citing Jeune Afrique magazine.

Jeune Afrique Wednesday said everyone including the French Embassy in Algiers was surprised by the reshuffle conducted by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika on May 24th.

Emié blamed his assistants for not being aware of the dismissal of Sellal in advance.

He found himself in trouble and told his team “what will I say to Quai d’Orsay- French foreign ministry?”

Emié was embarrassed because he could not know what happened behind the scenes as he was proposed to be in charge of French foreign intelligence at that time.

French President’s Office appointed Emié as DGSE Chief in June to succeed Bernard Bajolet who was also an Ambassador to Algiers in 2008.

The nomination of French Ambassadors to Algiers at the head of foreign intelligence is seen as a normal event due to Algeria’s vital and strategic importance. It is a way to reward them for serving their country.