Emmanuel Macron moves to tighten France’s 1968 migration deal with Russia-aligned Algeria after deporting 140 Algerians in May

On September 3, France’s Interior Ministry confirmed that work had begun on revising the 1968 Franco-Algerian agreement governing the movement, employment and residence of Algerian nationals in France, according to an official response published by the French Senate.

The ministry said it had “initiated work to revise the 1968 agreements” on instructions from President Emmanuel Macron and the prime minister, adding that migration talks resumed after Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez visited Algeria in February 2026.

French Interior Ministry data shows that more than 650,000 Algerians held valid residence permits in 2025, while more than 200,000 visas were issued during the year.

In May, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said more than 700 Algerians were being held in administrative detention centres, representing 30% to 40% of roughly 2,000 places, while more than 140 had been deported since the start of 2026.

The tougher approach had already begun in August 2025, when Macron instructed his government to tighten visa rules for Algerian diplomats amid disputes over migration and security.

In a letter to then-Prime Minister François Bayrou seen by Reuters, Macron requested the suspension of a 2013 agreement exempting Algerian diplomatic and official passport holders from visa requirements and sought cooperation from other Schengen countries in applying the restrictions.

“France must be strong and command respect. It can only receive this from its partners if it shows them the respect it demands from them. This basic rule also applies to Algeria,” Macron said.

Then-Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau also repeatedly called for a review of Franco-Algerian migration and visa arrangements over Algeria’s refusal to take back some citizens ordered to leave France.

The latest rupture between France and Algeria has unfolded alongside a broader geopolitical shift, with Algiers maintaining close defence ties with Russia as relations with Paris deteriorate.

Le Monde has linked much of the breakdown to France’s 2024 decision to back Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara, prompting Algeria, which supports the Polisario Front, to withdraw its ambassador.

Relations worsened further in November 2024 after Algeria detained Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal.

By April 2025, the dispute had escalated into reciprocal expulsions. AP reported that Algeria ordered 12 French officials to leave after France arrested an Algerian consular employee over the alleged kidnapping of government critic Amir Boukhors, prompting Paris to expel 12 Algerian officials.

Another round followed in May, when French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said relations were “totally blocked.”

Meanwhile, the fallout has pushed Algeria closer to Russia, one of its main military suppliers, which the European Parliament has described as “a long-term and direct threat for European security”.

The divide was also visible in Niger, where Algeria opposed military intervention after the 2023 coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, a key French security partner, and pushed for diplomacy.

Algeria’s reported refusal to allow French military aircraft to cross its airspace potentially narrowed France’s room for manoeuvre.

However, French army spokesman Colonel Pascal Ianni said at the time that the decision had “slightly impacted” supply flights but “does not affect our operations” in the Sahel, according to The Arab Weekly.

Niger has since strengthened ties with Algeria and Russia while exploring an Algeria-linked Mediterranean route for uranium exports, potentially expanding Algiers’ role in its post-France realignment.

With France’s military presence in the Sahel diminished, Macron is now leaning on migration, visas and deportations in his dispute with Algeria as Russia expands across a region once dominated by Paris.