The French Interior Minister Is Expected In Algeria… And He Must Go There!

The president of the “France-Algeria Association” and former French presidential candidate, Ms. Ségolène Royal, criticized the recent statements made by the Minister of Interior in her country’s government, Laurent Nuñez, regarding Algeria, and urged him to adhere to what he promised after being assigned the ministerial portfolio, which is to visit Algeria to discuss ways to reduce the tension that has reached its peak since French President Emmanuel Macron sided with the Moroccan regime in the Western Sahara issue.

Ms. Royal addressed the Minister of Interior, based on an interview she gave to the French channel TF1 on the morning of Monday, February 2, 2026, saying: “When you set conditions, it means you don’t want to go to Algeria,” in her first statement since returning from a four-day visit.

Ms. Royal was commenting on Laurent Nuñez’s statements on January 30 to Radio France Internationale, where he set conditions for his visit to Algeria: “I was supposed to travel to Algeria, but a number of conditions also had to be met beforehand, especially regarding the issuance of deportation permits for Algerian citizens who are illegally present on French territory.”

Ms. Ségolène stressed: “He (Laurent) must go (to Algeria), that’s clear. When you set conditions, it means you don’t want to go,” adding: “He is expected in Algeria, and he must go there without preconditions.”

Confirming her words, Ms. Royal said that she spoke with President Tebboune about Algerian nationals subject to deportation from France, to which he replied: “Laurent Nuñez was supposed to come, but it seems he canceled the visit,” noting that “French interior ministers usually attribute their failure regarding the issue of deporting Algerian nationals by constantly accusing the Algerian government of non-cooperation.”

The president of the “Algeria-France Association” intends to inform President Macron of the outcomes of her visit to Algeria, as well as the demands she will raise with him. In response to a question in this regard, she said that she requested a meeting with the master of the Élysée Palace after this visit, but she is still waiting for an appointment.

Contrary to what the French media reported, Ms. Royal informed the Élysée Palace of this visit and confirmed that she would submit a report on the progress of her mission to Algeria. She also expressed her regret that the French side did not respect the agreement related to the archives.

Regarding the content of what she intends to inform Macron about her mission to Algeria, she replied: “I want to urge him to reconcile and recognize. Algerians do not want financial compensation as many countries that were colonized demand, just as colonized countries (with an open ‘m’) have asked for forgiveness from those affected by their colonization, similar to Belgium, Britain, and Germany…”

Ms. Ségolène warned against the loss of French interests in Algeria, saying: “France risks permanently losing its positions,” explaining: “Everyone is investing in Algeria and has good relations with it, Italy, Spain, and Germany, which signed an agreement with it regarding green hydrogen, except France, despite the fact that we share a very painful history… We owe this reconciliation to the young generations, on both sides of the Mediterranean basin.”