The recent diplomatic crisis between France and Algeria has once again laid bare the repressive, paranoid, and deeply hostile nature of the Algerian military regime. The case of the abduction of opposition figure Amir Boukhors, known as Amir DZ, on French soil—in a scenario worthy of a banana republic—confirms what many already knew: the generals in Algiers will stop at nothing to silence dissent, even if it means violating international law.
The arrest and detention of an Algerian consular agent involved in this pathetic cloak-and-dagger operation triggered a grotesque episode: rather than take responsibility, the regime chose to hide behind the pretext of sovereignty, going so far as to declare twelve French Interior Ministry officials persona non grata. Yet another provocative gesture in a long series of absurd and gratuitous hostilities.
In response, France reacted firmly: reciprocal expulsion of twelve Algerian consular agents, the recall of its ambassador, and above all, a clear message from Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau: “Algeria is up against the wall.” A stinging declaration that perfectly sums up the impasse facing a regime that is gasping for air, mired in delusions of omnipotence and obsessive security fears.
Behind this escalation lies a brutal truth: the Algerian regime has never stopped treating its opponents as enemies to be eliminated, even if they are exiled thousands of kilometers away. The fact that the regime would target a social media influencer over his videos—mobilizing diplomats disguised as secret agents—shows just how far the Algiers junta is willing to go, dragging its country’s image through the mud in pursuit of total control.
Worse still, it is France that is now being portrayed as the culprit, under the pretext that French justice—independent, as it happens—dares to investigate a case as grave as an international kidnapping. In this tangled mess, Algeria is making a fool of itself: attacking France while secretly sending undercover agents to its territory. Talking about sovereignty while trampling on that of others.
This crisis presents an opportunity for democracies, with France at the forefront, to end their complacency toward a regime that is oppressive, corrupt, and brutal. It is time to say out loud what many have been whispering for years: the Algerian military regime is a threat—not only to its own people, whom it has crushed for decades, but also to its neighbors, its international partners, and to members of the Algerian diaspora whom it spies on, harasses, and hunts down.
The mask has fallen. The Algerian regime is not a partner—it is an oppressor. A regime that has nothing to offer the world but fear, repression, and hate.
Abderrazzak Boussaid / Le7tv