By Emmanuel Nduka
Algeria firmly rejected France’s accusations of “escalation” in their ongoing diplomatic dispute, calling the claims part of a “disinformation campaign.” The row intensified after Algiers refused to allow a deported French influencer, Doualemn, to enter the country.
In a statement released Saturday, the Algerian foreign ministry insisted that the country was not pursuing a policy of “escalation or humiliation.” Instead, it blamed far-right factions in France for spreading misinformation about Algeria.
Doualemn, a 59-year-old social media personality, had been detained in Montpellier after posting a controversial TikTok video. Following his arrest, he was flown to Algeria on Thursday, but the Algerian authorities promptly sent him back to France later that evening, citing concerns over his legal rights.
French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau accused Algeria of attempting to humiliate France, while Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot warned of potential consequences, including visa restrictions or cuts in development aid, should the tensions persist.
Algeria defended its actions, stating that they acted to ensure Doualemn could respond to the charges against him in a French court, asserting that his legal rights should be respected in a fair judicial process.
The diplomatic friction has been further fueled by the ongoing detention in Algeria of Franco-Algerian author Boualem Sansal, who faces national security charges, adding another layer of complexity to the fragile relations between the two nations.
