Franco-Algerian Tensions Escalate: Algeria Slams France Over "Provocative" Military Exercise Plan
Algeria has sharply criticized France for its planned military exercise with Morocco, labeling it a "provocative act" that exacerbates already strained relations. The exercise, "Chergui 2025," near Algeria's border, has prompted Algeria to summon France's ambassador and demand clarification, amidst a backdrop of deepening regional tensions.
hassan benyoub 
Algiers – March 08, 2025
Algeria sharply criticized France on Thursday, March 6, over a planned joint military exercise with Morocco, labeling it a “provocative act” that threatens to deepen an already strained relationship. The exercise, dubbed “Chergui 2025,” is slated for September near Algeria’s border, intensifying diplomatic friction between Algiers and Paris.
Algeria Summons French Ambassador
The Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned France’s ambassador to Algiers, Stéphane Romatet, to express its alarm over the Franco-Moroccan drill set to take place in Errachidia, a Moroccan city close to the Algerian frontier. “This exercise is perceived by Algeria as a provocation,” said Lounès Magramane, the ministry’s secretary-general, warning that it could “elevate tensions between the two countries to a higher level of severity.”
Algeria demanded clarification from Paris regarding the objectives and scope of “Chergui 2025,” a name evoking the desert’s hot winds, which some see as symbolically charged. The ministry’s statement underscored the gravity of the project, reflecting Algiers’ growing unease over France’s military cooperation with its regional rival, Morocco.
A Backdrop of Deepening Discord
The rebuke comes amid a backdrop of deteriorating Franco-Algerian relations, fueled by a series of disputes. In July 2024, French President Emmanuel Macron endorsed a Moroccan autonomy plan for Western Sahara, a move that infuriated Algeria, a staunch supporter of the Polisario Front’s independence bid. This shift in France’s stance was seen as a betrayal in Algiers, setting the stage for further friction.
Tensions have since been compounded by other incidents: the November 2024 arrest of Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal in Algeria, Algiers’ refusal to accept several nationals deported from France, and a deadly attack in Mulhouse linked to an Algerian suspect. These events have deepened mistrust, pushing bilateral ties to a critical juncture.
Regional Rivalries Amplify Concerns
The planned location of “Chergui 2025” near the Algerian border heightens its sensitivity, given Algeria’s fraught relationship with Morocco. The two nations severed diplomatic ties in 2021, and their rivalry over Western Sahara remains a flashpoint. For Algeria, France’s military alignment with Morocco in such close proximity signals not just a diplomatic slight but a potential security threat.
What’s Next for Franco-Algerian Relations?
As Algeria awaits France’s response, the “Chergui 2025” controversy marks a new low in a relationship already tested by historical grievances and contemporary clashes. Analysts warn that without de-escalation, this latest spat could further destabilize regional dynamics and strain France’s ties with a key North African partner.
For the latest on Franco-Algerian tensions, the Chergui 2025 military exercise, and Algeria’s stance against perceived provocations, keep following this unfolding story.
