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In recent weeks, several Algerian social media influencers residing in France have been arrested for posting videos on TikTok and other platforms that incite violence or issue threats, particularly against opponents of Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. These videos called for attacks in France and physical assaults on critics of the Algerian government, going as far as indirect death threats.

Unknown to many before these incidents, the influencers known as Zazou Youssef, Imad Tintin and Sofia Benlemmane were taken into custody in Lyon for hateful remarks and death threats they shared online. The threats they issued and the following arrests are the tip of the iceberg of the current relations between France and Algeria. The two countries’ diplomatic relations, which have been far from peachy in recent years, have worsened recently over Western Sahara and the detention in Algeria of Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal.

French authorities have responded decisively, emphasizing that social media platforms are not lawless spaces and that such calls for violence are unacceptable. Despite having tense relations, the level of animosity between the two countries on opposite sides of the Mediterranean has not been this high in the last decade.

There was undoubtedly clumsiness from the French diplomatic side and flip-flops in relations during this time, such as applying pressure without the will or capacity to back it up, then opening up again without a valid reason or because negotiations on a linked front were approaching a dead end. In short, there has been no consistency from Paris in its relations with Algeria. And on the important subject of its colonialism, France has had an unclear policy, shifting from acknowledgments to rebuttals.

The level of animosity between the two countries has not been this high in the last decade

Khaled Abou Zahr

French-Algerian relations cannot be taken out of the context of wider French-African ties, which have also degraded. This is why, despite the low in relations, there is an urgent need for a real reset between Paris and Algiers. Moreover, the consistent focus on energy and natural resources does not help.

There is no doubt that, from looking into Algeria’s recent direction in terms of foreign policy, it is diverging from the Western bloc. I am not sure to what extent this is a real policy or a case of maneuvering as the world morphs into the new balance of the 21st century. Regardless, France needs to initiate a broader approach to Algeria, including the proposal of a true partnership in order to prevent the latter’s shift away from the West becoming a reality. The same also applies to Africa, where its geopolitical standing is melting like an ice cube.

Finding common ground and building economic prosperity is the best way to put aside political conflicts. A broader vision and new goals, with the benefit of growth for all, beats any statement or declaration about the history of colonization. In the last century, France and Germany, which had faced off for hundreds of years, were able to find common ground and together build the EU, starting with economic cooperation. This can serve as a great case study.

Finding common ground and building economic prosperity is the best way to put aside political conflicts

Khaled Abou Zahr

The recent tensions emerged following France’s recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara. And, if we want to speak bluntly, it had a tone of “We gotcha, Algiers” in the French media.

Yet, despite the current tensions, a new approach should be brought forward. And since France has positioned itself in an Algiers-Rabat file, there should also be a positive initiative around finding an accord between these two North African neighbors. Perhaps France could host a summit to propose an economic cooperation agreement on the Atlantic coast.

The use of the French Western Sahara decision to try and humiliate Algeria was unfortunate and tasteless. Algerians are proud people and this is not something any French policy should try to do. But France should, without hesitation, always take decisive and powerful actions against threats to its national security.

In my view, France has a historic opportunity to turn things around, not only with Algeria but the entire African continent. More than a mea culpa on the years of colonialism or a hesitant defensive stance, a strong plan for future collaboration is needed.

• Khaled Abou Zahr is the founder of SpaceQuest Ventures, a space-focused investment platform. He is CEO of EurabiaMedia and editor of Al-Watan Al-Arabi.