French ambassador to Algeria Stephane Romatet is set to return to Algeria and resume his post on May 8, over a year after France recalled him, The New Arab reported on May 8. France originally recalled Romatet in April 2025 after Algeria expelled 12 French diplomats during a period of strained bilateral ties following France's July 2024 recognition of Morocco's sovereignty plan over the disputed Western Sahara.

French recognition of Morocco's sovereignty plan for Western Sahara catalyzed the deterioration of bilateral relations, and tensions further worsened after France threatened to review the 1968 migration pact with Algeria. Algeria subsequently expelled several French diplomats and imprisoned French-Algerian author Boualem Sansal, though he was later released. Since then, there have been signs of a thaw in relations, with French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez visiting Algeria in February. On May 8, the French deputy minister of the armed forces will also visit Algeria to recognize the 81st anniversary of the 1945 French crackdown on the Algerian independence movement.