Algeria has taken diplomatic action by summoning the French Ambassador, Stéphane Romatet, for a reprimand due to what it describes as "hostile plans" by the French intelligence service.

The summoning of Romatet to the Foreign Ministry last week was prompted by allegations of French intelligence involvement in attempts to destabilize Algeria. Algerian media outlets detailed that the French intelligence service had purportedly recruited former Algerian militants to disrupt the country's stability. A specific case highlighted was that of Mohamed Amine Aissaoui, who publicly confessed on Algerian television to participating in a conspiracy orchestrated by French intelligence.

Algerian officials have expressed strong disapproval, stating that these actions will not go unanswered and they will not stand idly by as their sovereignty is challenged. There has been no immediate comment from French authorities regarding these reports from Algerian media.

This incident adds to the longstanding tensions between Algeria and France, which have been further complicated by issues of historical memory, migration policies, and the contentious Western Sahara conflict. The relationship was already strained when Algeria recalled its ambassador from France in July 2023, following French President Emmanuel Macron's support for Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara, a stance that Algeria vehemently opposes, favoring instead the Polisario Front's push for self-determination. (ILKHA)