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Nuñez Ends Two-Day Algeria Trip to Reopen Security Dialogue

The outreach aims to restart practical cooperation on deportations, counter-terrorism and narcotics after relations froze over Western Sahara in 2024.

Overview

  • French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez visited Algiers on February 16–17 for political‑level talks with his counterpart Saïd Sayoud after months of technical contacts.
  • Photos released by Algerian authorities showed senior security chiefs in the room, including DGSI director Céline Berthon, signaling a high-level push on operational issues.
  • Key files discussed included readmissions of Algerian nationals under OQTF, counter-terrorism coordination and drug trafficking, with no public breakthrough announced.
  • Algeria has not accepted any returnees under French OQTF to date, and the case of detained French journalist Christophe Gleizes remains unresolved.
  • The trip followed a long-standing invitation from Algiers and was preceded by mediation efforts, notably Ségolène Royal’s visit, yet a presidential meeting was not confirmed publicly.