The Algerian authorities denied visas to 57 French citizens, as reported by the French newspaper “Le Journal du Dimanche”.
These individuals, active members of the “Association for the Protection of Cemeteries in the Western Algerian Region,” had intended to visit Oran, a city in western Algeria, to tend to the graves of Europeans and “Pied-Noirs” (Black Feet), who lived and were buried in Algeria during the French colonial era. This practice has become notably ingrained over the past two decades.
The visa requests were explicitly declined with a statement emphasizing Algerian sovereignty: “The Algerian people are sovereign and possess sole authority over decisions regarding who is permitted entry into the country.” This decision complies with the principle of reciprocity, a widely acknowledged norm in diplomatic interactions.
Prior to the visa crisis, Christian and Jewish cemeteries in Algeria, primarily belonging to the Pied-Noirs and Jewish communities, had benefited from joint Algerian (Algiers Province) and French funding for their restoration and maintenance.
French citizens have routinely traveled to Algeria, receiving visas without significant obstacles to uphold their traditional graveyard upkeep.
However, the relationship between the two nations took a nosedive in September 2022, when, according to Gabriel Attal, the former official spokesperson for the French authorities, France decided to slash the number of visas granted to Algerian citizens by 50%.
This resolution, also applicable to Morocco and to a lesser extent, Tunisia (where the reduction was 30%), was issued in response to what Paris alleges was a lack of cooperation from these three capitals in dealing with illegal migration issues, particularly regarding the non-reception of illegal immigrants who had been ordered to be expelled by French justice.
Amar Belani, the official spokesperson for Algerian foreign affairs and the special envoy responsible for Arab Maghreb countries and the Western Sahara file, promptly responded at the time, describing the French decision as “incongruent,” especially considering it preceded a visit by an Algerian delegation to France to enhance cooperation in the field of illegal migration.
The French decision in 2022 precipitated non-humanitarian repercussions on the movement of people between the two countries, particularly affecting Algerians who have numerous familial ties on the northern shore of the Mediterranean.
Last year, visa applications for nearly 32,000 Algerians were rejected by the French consular services.
