Algeria–France Relations: A Turbulent History from Colonization to Modern Diplomatic Crises

Relations between Algeria and France have long been shaped by colonial domination, a violent war of independence, and recurring diplomatic disputes rooted in history, memory, and regional politics.

Colonial Era (1830–1954)

France invaded Algiers in 1830, ending Ottoman rule and beginning more than a century of colonial domination. In 1848, coastal Algeria was formally annexed and divided into three French departments: Algiers, Oran, and Constantine.

Colonial governance deepened inequalities with the introduction of the Code de l’Indigénat in 1881, which institutionalized discrimination against the native Muslim population. Tensions reached a breaking point on May 8, 1945, when French forces violently repressed pro-independence demonstrations in Sétif, Guelma, and Kherrata, killing thousands and radicalizing the nationalist movement.

War of Independence (1954–1962)

The Algerian War of Independence began on November 1, 1954, when the National Liberation Front (FLN) launched coordinated attacks across the country. The conflict escalated into a brutal war marked by widespread violence and repression.

In 1958, Charles de Gaulle returned to power in France amid the Algerian crisis, while Algerian leaders formed the Provisional Government of the Algerian Republic (GPRA). The conflict formally ended with the signing of the Évian Accords on March 18, 1962, leading to Algeria’s declaration of independence on July 5, 1962, following a national referendum.

Post-Independence Tensions (1963–2020)

Although diplomatic relations were established after independence, tensions persisted. A labor agreement signed in 1968 regulated Algerian migration to France, reflecting continued interdependence.

Relations worsened in 1971 when Algeria nationalized French oil and gas interests. During the Algerian Civil War in the 1990s, ties further deteriorated, notably after the 1994 hijacking of an Air France flight, which led to a suspension of air links.

A brief rapprochement occurred in 2003 when President Jacques Chirac made a historic state visit to Algeria. In 2017, Emmanuel Macron described colonization as a “crime against humanity,” raising hopes for reconciliation, though he stopped short of issuing a formal apology.

Current Diplomatic Crisis (2021–Present)

Relations sharply declined again in 2021 after President Macron questioned the existence of an Algerian nation prior to French colonization, prompting Algiers to recall its ambassador.

A temporary thaw followed in 2022 with the signing of the Algiers Declaration, aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation. However, tensions resurfaced in July 2024 when Algeria recalled its ambassador after France backed Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara.

The crisis deepened in April 2025 with reciprocal expulsions of diplomats following the arrest of an Algerian consular official. In December 2025, Algeria’s parliament escalated the dispute by passing a law criminalizing French colonization and formally demanding an apology and reparations.

Despite periods of dialogue and cooperation, Algeria–France relations remain fragile, burdened by unresolved historical grievances and competing geopolitical interests. Without meaningful progress on memory and reconciliation, diplomatic tensions are likely to persist.