Algerian Senate Suspends Relations with French Senate Over Larcher’s Visit to Moroccan Sahara
On February 26, 2025, Algeria's Council of the Nation suspended relations with the French Senate in retaliation for President Gérard Larcher's visit to the Moroccan Sahara, viewed as provocative. This decision escalates tensions over Western Sahara, potentially disrupting Franco-Algerian dialogue and prompting possible Algerian retaliatory measures.
hassan benyoub 
Algiers, February 26, 2025 – The Algerian Council of the Nation, the upper house of the Algerian parliament equivalent to the French Senate, announced on Wednesday the immediate suspension of its relations with the French Senate. This drastic move comes in response to the recent visit of French Senate President Gérard Larcher to the Moroccan Sahara, which Algeria views as a provocative act.
In a strongly worded statement, the Council, presided over by Salah Goudjil, condemned Larcher’s visit as “irresponsible, provocative, and ostentatious.” It declared the suspension of all ties with the French Senate, including the parliamentary cooperation protocol signed on September 8, 2015. The decision reflects escalating tensions between Algeria and France, fueled by differing stances on the Western Sahara issue.
Context of the Dispute
Larcher’s visit to Laayoune, the capital of Western Sahara, earlier this week aimed to “reflect France’s new position” supporting Morocco’s sovereignty over the territory, as stated by French President Emmanuel Macron in late 2024 Gérard Larcher en visite au Sahara occidental en pleine crise entre Paris et Alger - France 24. This shift, part of France’s diplomatic realignment, has drawn sharp criticism from Algeria, which supports the Polisario Front’s claim for self-determination in Western Sahara and considers the region occupied Moroccan territory.
The visit, accompanied by several French senators and meetings with Moroccan officials, followed a similar trip by French Culture Minister Rachida Dati in February, which Algeria had already condemned as “particularly serious” A history of Franco-Algerian cooperation since independence | Cairn.info. Algeria’s recall of its ambassador from Paris in July 2024 over France’s Western Sahara stance had already strained relations, and Larcher’s trip has now pushed tensions to a new low.
Algerian Senate’s Response
The Council of the Nation’s decision to suspend relations marks a significant escalation. The statement, released by the body’s bureau under Goudjil’s leadership, targets not only bilateral parliamentary ties but also the 2015 cooperation protocol, which had fostered exchanges and joint initiatives Speech 142 - Algeria -Mr. Salah Goudjil, President, Council of the Nation | Inter-Parliamentary Union. This move could disrupt future parliamentary dialogues and deepen the diplomatic rift, prompting concerns about broader Franco-Algerian relations.
Implications and Next Steps
The suspension could lead to further retaliatory measures from Algeria, such as visa restrictions, trade barriers, or reduced diplomatic engagement, as seen in past disputes List of senators of French Algeria - Wikipedia. For France, the decision may complicate efforts to mend ties, especially as Prime Minister François Bayrou announced on Wednesday a review of the 1968 Franco-Algerian agreements over immigration issues [France Demands Review of 1968 Agreements with Algeria, Sets Six-Week Deadline, Says PM François Bayrou - Hypothetical Article].
Observers will watch closely for France’s response and whether Algeria escalates its stance. This development follows a pattern of strained relations, including tensions over the detention of Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal and disputes over expulsions, signaling a challenging period ahead for bilateral ties.
