France’s Emmanuel Macron to return to Algeria to reset ties

President Emmanuel Macron of France will next week travel to Algeria as part of renewed efforts to improve strained ties between Paris and Algiers. The Elysee palace said the official visit will take place from 25th to 27th of August.

Macron accepted an invitation by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, his office said. It will be Macron’s second official visit to the North African country which holds close business ties with Paris.

Thanks to its large natural gas reserves, Algeria recently has also become a centre of attention for the European Union in its efforts to cut back imports from Russia.

Relations between France and Algeria was at it’s lowest state last year after Macron reportedly questioned whether Algeria had existed as a nation before the French invasion and accused its “political-military system” of rewriting history and fomenting “hatred towards France.

This forced Algeria to withdraw its ambassador in response but the two sides appear to have resolved their differences.

The visit is also coming at a time when there are growing Anti-French resentments in the West African sub-region as Mali expelled the French forces from its country.

Macron’s trip will be the French president’s second to Algeria as head of state, and will take him to both the capital Algiers and second city Oran.