Between France and Tunisia… Tebboune’s statements spark widespread division and mixed reactions in Algeria

Algeria –The recent statements of Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, regarding France and Tunisia, sparked a wide wave of controversy within Algeria and on social media platforms, after he confirmed that his country had never requested an increase in visa quotas from France, nor did it demand compensation or an apology for the colonial era. He also stressed the rejection of any threat targeting Tunisia.

Tebboune’s statements came during a regular media interview broadcast on Algerian state television, where he made it clear that Algeria “will not extend its hand” regarding the visa issue with Paris, after the controversy raised by the statements of the French ambassador to Algeria regarding granting 250,000 visas annually to Algerians, before Paris denied the existence of any official decision in this regard.

President#Tebboune.. “#Algeriawill never beg, and I have never asked our French friends for a visa quota, an apology, or compensation.”pic.twitter.com/kDXlprC7Bp

– 🇩🇿 1.2.3 live algerie (@vivalalgerie7)July 27, 2026

The Algerian president’s statements about not demanding a French apology for colonialism sparked mixed reactions, especially since they seemed different from the previous official speech, which focused on the need for France to acknowledge its colonial crimes within the framework of what is known as the memory file.

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune:
I assure all Algerians that I did not request any visa quota from France, nor did I speak about it, nor did I ever ask for an apology or compensation.. Algeria will never extend its handpic.twitter.com/EyNE8TNmJ1

– AL24news – Algeria International Channel (@AL24newschannel)July 27, 2026

Regarding the regional issue, Tebboune stressed that Algeria “will not tolerate any terrorist threat targeting Tunisia,” stressing that Tunisia’s security is part of Algeria’s security, and that his country will not allow any attempts to destabilize its eastern neighbor.

These statements, in turn, sparked widespread debate, as some considered them a confirmation of Algeria’s support for Tunisia in the face of security threats, while others linked them to the recent protests that Tunisia witnessed, stressing that popular demonstrations demanding reform should not be linked to terrorism.

What annoys the Algerian president#TebbouneIn events#Tunisia?

What hurts the Algerian media about former President Moncef Marzouki?#AlgeriaIt is not a guardian for Tunisia, no matter how terrified its military regime is of a revolution that might sweep it, or of the revolutions that surround it.

As for labeling every mass movement as terrorism, this is outdated and worn out language…pic.twitter.com/7ER8iN9HAb

– Nezam Mahdawi (@NezamMahdawi)July 27, 2026

These statements come at a time when Tunisia is witnessing continuous protests against the backdrop of economic and social conditions, amid demands for political reforms and improvement of living conditions, while Algerian-French relations continue to face outstanding issues, most notably visas and the colonial memory file.

Source:“My press”