France and Algeria Resume Negotiations to Repair Their Split

France and Algeria have resumed diplomatic talks aimed at improving their tense relations. This comes after months of war, which has harmed Paris’ economic interests in its former colony and hampered crucial security cooperation.

Last year, French President Emmanuel Macron supported an autonomy plan for Western Sahara, worsening the two countries’ already strained relations. Morocco controls the ancient Spanish colony in considerable part, although the Algeria-backed Polisario Front claims it as its own.

Paris has subsequently claimed that Algiers has implemented a policy aimed at removing France’s economic presence from the country. Trade between the two has decreased by up to 30% since the European summer. Furthermore, security cooperation, particularly efforts to combat Islamist militancy, has ceased.

Jean-Noel Barrot, France’s foreign minister, told parliament in early April that resuming collaboration was in the best interests of both the country and its people. It is estimated that 10% of France’s 68 million residents have ties to Algeria. Barrot arrived in Algiers on Sunday for a day of meetings.

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