France and Algeria: Renewed Conflict in 2023

In 2023, tensions between France and Algeria resurfaced, marking the third conflict in three years. The crisis began to unfold during a seemingly cordial meeting between French President Emmanuel Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune at the G7 summit in Italy on June 13. Despite public displays of friendship, a significant shift in France's foreign policy was brewing, which would ultimately undermine Algeria's interests. On July 30, Macron's letter to Moroccan King Mohammed VI confirmed France's support for Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, a move that angered Algeria. This letter marked a pivotal change in France's stance, as it now recognized the Moroccan autonomy plan as the sole basis for discussions regarding the disputed territory, a departure from its previous position. The Algerian government, which had hoped to navigate a balanced relationship with Morocco, faced a harsh reality as France's endorsement of Morocco's claims intensified existing tensions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Algeria had been striving to improve relations with Morocco while maintaining ties with France, but this new development complicated their diplomatic efforts. The historical context of the conflict is rooted in the long-standing rivalry between Algeria and Morocco, exacerbated by the end of the ceasefire in Western Sahara in late 2020. France's attempts to mediate between the two nations have become increasingly difficult, leading to a precarious diplomatic landscape in North Africa, where the stakes are high for both countries involved.