Boualem Sansal Freed: A Diplomatic Breakthrough in Franco-Algerian Relations

Thu Nov 13 2025 00:46:19 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Algeria grants a pardon to jailed novelist Boualem Sansal, amidst diplomatic tensions with France, following intervention from Germany's President Steinmeier.

Boualem Sansal, the renowned French-Algerian writer imprisoned in Algeria, has been granted a pardon and released after almost a year of detention. His release comes as a result of diplomatic negotiations involving German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, highlighting a shift in Franco-Algerian relations that had soured over various issues. French President Emmanuel Macron expressed gratitude for the decision, emphasizing the humanitarian grounds for Sansal's pardon, who requires medical treatment.

Almost a year to the day since French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal was arrested on arrival at Algiers airport, the Algerian presidency has granted him a pardon and allowed him to leave the country.

Sansal, 81, has been at the center of a bitter diplomatic row between Paris and Algiers, and President Abdelmadjid Tebboune's decision came in response to a direct approach from German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

The writer was said to be en route to Germany on a military plane on Wednesday evening, and his release was met with widespread relief.

French President Emmanuel Macron, who spoke to Sansal by phone, said France had used respect and calm to bring about his freedom.

I thank President Tebboune for this act of humanity, said Macron.

Although Paris had for months sought to lower tensions with Algeria, it was the German president's role that secured Sansal's release because of his good relations with Algeria's leader.

Élysée Palace sources told French media that Frank-Walter Steinmeier had acted as a trusted third party rather than just a mediator.

Steinmeier said he had asked President Tebboune to pardon Sansal, given his advanced age and fragile health, so the writer could receive medical treatment in Germany.

Tebboune stated he had decided to respond favorably to Steinmeier's request because of its nature and humanitarian motives; Sansal is being treated for prostate cancer.

He was given a five-year jail sentence in July for undermining national unity with remarks that questioned Algeria's borders, and he has long been a critic of Algeria's government which had not responded favorably to France's appeal for clemency.

Relations had already been strained after President Macron recognized Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, provoking a backlash in Algeria, which supports the pro-independence Polisario Front. The tensions escalated further following the arrest of an Algerian consular staff member in France.

The diplomatic crisis has been described as unprecedented since Algeria gained independence from France in 1962. Even with Sansal's release, tensions persist, especially following the jailing of French sportswriter Christophe Gleizes for alleged connections with designated terrorist groups in Algeria.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot praised diplomats for their work in securing Sansal's release and indicated continued hope for Gleizes' release.