France eyes strategic reset with Algeria as Darmanin visits Algiers

ALGIERS – French Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin arrived in Algeria on Monday at the head of a judicial delegation for talks that focused on security cooperation, extradition cases and the fate of jailed French journalist Christophe Gleizes, in a fresh sign of easing tensions between Paris and Algiers after months of diplomatic strain.

Darmanin held talks in Algiers with Algerian Justice Minister Lotfi Boudjemaa as both countries sought to restore cooperation that had largely stalled during a deep crisis in bilateral relations last year.

French officials said the visit aimed to “work towards opening a new chapter in judicial cooperation between our two countries.”

“The priority will be to revive a collaboration that has slowed to a crawl and to overcome a lack of cooperation for diplomatic reasons,” a French justice ministry spokesperson said.

According to informed sources, the discussions included cooperation on organised crime, extradition requests and security coordination, while also addressing sensitive individual cases, particularly that of Gleizes, who is serving a seven-year prison sentence in Algeria on charges of “glorifying terrorism.”

Campaigners for the sports reporter’s release announced on May 5 that he was withdrawing his appeal against the sentence, a move seen as opening the way for a possible presidential pardon.

Gleizes, 37, was arrested in May 2024 while reporting in Algeria. He had travelled to the country to write about the JS Kabylie football club in Tizi Ouzou and to research a story on Cameroonian player Albert Ebosse Bodjongo, who died in 2014 after a match between JS Kabylie and USM Alger.

The visit is widely viewed as part of broader efforts by both governments to turn the page on one of the worst crises in Franco-Algerian relations in years.

Relations reached a near-breaking point in 2024 after France announced support for Morocco’s autonomy plan for the disputed Western Sahara region under Moroccan sovereignty, prompting Algeria to recall its ambassador from Paris.

Tensions were compounded by disputes over migration, colonial-era memory issues and differing positions on regional crises, leading to an unprecedented chill despite strong economic and security ties between the two countries.

Observers believe Paris has become increasingly aware of the costs of prolonged estrangement from Algeria, which remains a key partner on Mediterranean security, migration, counterterrorism efforts in the Sahel and energy cooperation.

Algeria, meanwhile, also appears interested in recalibrating ties with France through what analysts describe as a framework based on “mutual interests” while maintaining its emphasis on sovereignty and political parity.

The diplomatic thaw has accelerated in recent weeks.

French President Emmanuel Macron sent a message last week to Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune that observers interpreted as an attempt to relaunch direct dialogue with the Algerian presidency after a prolonged period of mistrust.

French Ambassador Stephane Romatet has also resumed his duties in Algiers, while Algeria’s Interior Minister Said Sayoud is expected to travel to Paris soon.

“This is a very positive sign,” French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez told La Tribune Dimanche on Sunday. “Security cooperation is gradually being re-established.”

“Several million people on both sides of the Mediterranean are affected by the relationship between the two countries,” he added.

Darmanin’s visit is the third by a French minister to Algeria in the past three months.

Just over a week ago, Armed Forces Minister Alice Rufo met Tebboune and agreed to strengthen cooperation in security and defence, while Nunez visited Algiers in February as part of early attempts to ease tensions.

French judicial authorities are also seeking greater Algerian cooperation against organised crime networks, particularly the Marseille-based DZ Mafia cartel.

French investigators say they have issued around 10 requests for mutual legal assistance targeting alleged leaders of the criminal network believed to have taken refuge in Algeria.

The issue gained renewed attention on Monday as Felix Bingui, known as “Le Chat,” appeared in court in Marseille alongside 19 co-defendants accused of drug trafficking, criminal conspiracy and money laundering after his extradition from Morocco earlier this year.

Analysts say the renewed judicial dialogue could pave the way for broader political and diplomatic engagement, including the reactivation of joint committees suspended during the crisis.

With France facing a decline in influence across Africa, particularly in the Sahel region, Paris is increasingly seeking to rebuild ties with strategic partners such as Algeria amid growing regional instability, migration pressures and security threats.

Observers believe both countries now have a strong mutual interest in restoring at least a minimum level of strategic partnership after months of confrontation that disrupted cooperation on migration, intelligence sharing and regional security.