Why Algeria restricted wheat imports from France
French-Algerian relations have grown tense in recent months over France’s colonial legacy and disputes over the status of Western Sahara.
Algeria is restricting French companies from importing wheat, according to a Wednesday report, as relations sour over Western Sahara and their shared colonial history.
What happened: Reuters reported that Algeria excluded French companies from a wheat import tender this week and stipulated that firms participating in the process not offer wheat that originates in France. Trading sources told the outlet that the move relates to diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
Why it matters: The move follows escalating diplomatic tensions between the two countries. Earlier this week, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune again postponed his trip to France. Tebboune has delayed the visit several times. It was most recently scheduled for late September or early October, the state-owned Radio France Internationale reported.
The postponement followed Tebboune accusing France of genocide in remarks to local media earlier this month, in reference to the French colonization of Algeria in the 20th century.
