The French government threatens to cancel its immigration agreement with Algeria following terrorist attack in France

The French government threatened to cancel the immigration agreement it has with Algeria if the African nation does not agree to take back its citizens deported from France. This threat comes amid rising tensions between the two nations and follows a knife attack by an Algerian citizen in the French city of Mulhouse, near the Swiss-German border, which left one dead and several wounded last weekend, according to AP.

The deadly attack occurred last Saturday, when a 37-year-old Algerian man stabbed and killed a 69-year-old Portuguese citizen and injured five police officers while exclaiming "Allahu Akbar." French President Emmanuel Macron called the event an "act of Islamist terrorism.”

France tried to deport the attacker 14 times

French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau revealed that France had tried to deport the attacker 14 times but Algerian authorities refused to take him back.

France's Prime Minister, François Bayrou, said Wednesday that his country is unwilling to accept the current situation and called for a review of the agreement and its implementation. He added that the attack occurred because Algeria had refused to implement the treaty reached between the two countries in 1968.

The prime minister also said that he will present Algeria with a list of Algerians who are scheduled to be deported to the African country as they represent a great risk for France.

Bayrou also warned the Algerian government that if Paris does not receive a response, it will cancel the agreement.

In 2022, the two countries agreed to review the agreement, something that had already been done three times since it was signed in 1968.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot revealed Tuesday that his country has taken steps to restrict the entry of Algerians. Algiers criticized Paris for this decision, which it called a "provocation," adding that the French government is acting under pressure from the "extreme right.”

Algeria's response

On Thursday, Algeria rejected Paris’ "ultimatums and threats.”

The Algerian government announced that it will implement "immediate reciprocity" measures in response to the mobility restrictions between the two countries.

Tensions between Algeria and France are nothing new

As mentioned, tensions between the two countries have persisted in recent months, fueled by Algeria's displeasure after France recognized Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara, a region seeking independence and supported by Algeria.

According to official French data, 12.2% of immigrants living in France in 2023 were Algerian.