France Justice Minister to Lead Diplomatic Push in Algeria Amid Thaw
The French government is prioritising judicial cooperation and the case of detained journalist Christophe Gleizes as relations with Algiers stabilise after a period of significant diplomatic friction.
France’s Justice Minister, Gérald Darmanin, is scheduled to visit Algeria on Monday to negotiate the expansion of judicial cooperation and address the detention of French sports journalist Christophe Gleizes. The trip marks a significant step in diplomatic relations, signalling a thaw following tensions that erupted over the Western Sahara dispute. Darmanin’s office stated that the purpose of the visit is to open a new chapter in judicial ties, with Gleizes’ case expected to be a central topic of discussion.
Gleizes, 37, was arrested in May 2024 while reporting on a football club in Algeria’s Kabylia region. He was subsequently sentenced to seven years in prison in June last year for the charge of glorifying terrorism. In a move aimed at securing a presidential pardon, Gleizes recently dropped his appeal before Algeria’s highest court. His mother has expressed hope for positive developments regarding his return to France by the end of the month, noting that Gleizes received his first diplomatic visit since his detention on Monday.
The diplomatic environment has shifted considerably since Paris officially backed Moroccan sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara region in 2024, a move that angered Algeria, which supports the pro-independence Polisario Front. Relations deteriorated sharply, leading to the recall of the French ambassador to Algiers approximately a year ago. However, the trajectory has reversed in recent months, with both nations agreeing in February to restart security cooperation.
This renewed engagement was initially marked by a visit from French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez to Algiers in February. The momentum continued last week when Deputy Defence Minister Alice Rufo met with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. These high-level interactions have paved the way for the current judicial dialogue, with France’s ambassador now returned to his post following the period of diplomatic estrangement.
While the specific outcomes of the discussions between Darmanin and Algerian officials remain unconfirmed, the visit represents a structured effort to normalise institutional ties. The focus on judicial cooperation suggests a pragmatic approach to managing bilateral relations, even as the legal status of Gleizes remains pending a potential presidential pardon from Algerian authorities.
