French Ambassador Stéphane Romatet returns to Algiers over a year after recall to Paris
via Algérie3602 min read
French Ambassador to Algeria, Stéphane Romatet, returned to Algiers on Friday, May 8, over a year after being recalled to Paris. His return coincides with a visit from Alice Rufo, Minister Delegate for the Armed Forces and Veterans, sent by Emmanuel Macron, signaling a desire to move past a deep diplomatic crisis. Romatet was recalled to Paris on April 15, 2025, following Algeria's expulsion of twelve French embassy and consulate agents in response to the arrest of an Algerian consular agent in France. The Elysée stated that Romatet's return reflects President Macron's intention to "restore effective dialogue" and address the bilateral relationship "with honesty." The choice of May 8 is significant as Algeria commemorates the 1945 massacres of Sétif, Guelma, and Kherrata on this date, where the repression of independence demonstrations by French colonial forces resulted in 45,000 deaths. Alice Rufo, close to President Macron, visited Sétif for these commemorations and will meet with Algerian authorities to discuss "the next steps in consolidating bilateral relations." The crisis between the two countries began in July 2024 after Paris recognized Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, leading Algeria to recall its ambassador from France, a position that remains vacant. Macron reportedly "does not want to leave on a failure with Algeria" before his term ends in 2027. Among the issues awaiting Romatet in Algiers is the case of Christophe Gleizes, a French journalist sentenced
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Algeria's national football team is set to face Jordan in two hours for the second day of Group J. The starting lineup for this crucial match has reportedly been leaked. Contrary to expectations, coach Vladimir Petkovic has made only two changes: Ramiz Zerrouki and Riyad Mahrez will start, replacing Nabil Bentaleb and Anis Hadj Moussa, respectively. Luca Zidane retains his position as goalkeeper, with the technical staff reaffirming their confidence in him despite some anticipating Oussama Benbot would start. The defense remains unchanged, featuring Ramy Bensebaini and Aissa Mandi as central defenders, with Rafik Belghali on the right flank and Rayan Aït-Nouri on the left. In midfield, Ramiz Zerrouki will be joined by Hicham Boudaoui to manage ball recovery and initiate attacks, while Ibrahim Maza will continue in his playmaking role. The offensive line will see the return of captain Riyad Mahrez, who will lead the attack alongside Farès Chaïbi and Amine Gouiri. This is the lineup the Bosnian coach will rely on against Jordan, with questions remaining about the team's performance following a disappointing showing against Argentina.
Algerian forward Mohamed-Amine Amoura will miss the upcoming World Cup 2026 qualifying matches against Jordan and Austria due to a thigh injury sustained during training. The Wolfsburg player is expected to be out for two weeks, a significant blow for coach Vladimir Petkovic, whose team faces pressure after a 3-0 loss to Argentina in their opening match. Amoura's absence, confirmed by medical examinations, deprives Algeria of a key offensive player known for his speed and goal-scoring ability. The team, having lost its first match, cannot afford further missteps, making Amoura's unavailability particularly challenging for Petkovic as he rethinks his offensive strategy. The match against Jordan is crucial, as both teams lost their opening games. Austria, Algeria's third opponent in Group J, also faces injury concerns with Christoph Baumgartner out. Petkovic will need other players, including Riyad Mahrez, to step up in Amoura's absence.
Cameron Mofid, a 25-year-old American, has become the youngest person to visit all 195 recognized countries. Among these, he has designated Algeria as his favorite country in Africa, praising its ancient heritage, cuisine, and the warm hospitality of its people. Mofid described Algeria as "clearly underestimated" and an "unexpected" destination compared to more commonly visited African countries like Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, and South Africa. He noted that Algeria offers a sense of discovery, allowing visitors to uncover something "deeply mysterious" due to its lack of over-exposure to tourism. Mofid's experience, which occurred in 2025, highlighted the country's preserved traditions, ancient ruins, and generous gastronomy. His sentiments are echoed by other international figures, including streamer IShowSpeed, who was impressed by Algeria's local cuisine and Saharan landscapes in Djanet in February 2026. International publications have also recognized Algeria's potential. The USA Herald dedicated a detailed report to Algeria's exceptional tourism wealth, from the Casbah of Algiers to the Roman ruins of Timgad, in February 2026. The Washington Post, in early 2026, placed Algeria at the top of its list of destinations to explore away from crowds, calling it an example of "under-tourism." Tony Wheeler, founder of Lonely Planet, noted the country's solid infrastructure and diverse landscapes, while Condé Nast Traveler ranked Algeria first in its Top 5 African destinations for 20