Algeria–Morocco relations
Algeria is represented in Morocco by a consulate general in Rabat, and two consulates in Casablanca and Oujda.[1] Morocco is represented in Algeria by an embassy and consulate general in Algiers, as well as two consulates in Oran and Sidi Bel Abbès.[2] Relations between the two North African states have been marred by several crises since their independence, particularly the 1963 Sand War, the Western Sahara War of 1975–1991, the closing of the Algeria–Morocco border in 1994, an ongoing disagreement over the political status of Western Sahara and the signing of the Israel–Morocco normalization agreement (as part of the Abraham Accords) in 2020.
Algeria |
Morocco |
---|
On August 24, 2021, Algeria severed ties with Morocco.[3][4] Algeria accused Morocco of supporting a separatist group and hostile actions against Algeria. Morocco called the decision unjustified.[5] As of March 2023, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said that the relations between two countries have reached “the point of no return due to Morocco's continued provocation of Algeria. ”[6]
Historical relations
Morocco was involved in the French conquest of Algeria that started in 1830. First the kingdom supported the Algerian resistance groups against France but ceased this support in 1844 following the French bombardment of Tanger and the Battle of Isly.[7] France and Morocco then agreed on a border till the Atlas Mountains which remained when Morocco was turned into a French and Spanish protectorate, leaving the border south of it unknown. In 1912, the border between the French Protectorate of Morocco and French Algeria was extended further south with the Varnier Line.
Post-colonization and the Sand War
After Morocco had gained independence from France in 1956, King Mohammed V provided arms, money, and medicines to Algerian FLN forces waging a war of independence against French rule; Morocco also served as a rear base for Algerian insurgents to set up training camps for newer recruits. During this period, King Mohammed also refused to negotiate with France over the precise outline of Morocco's border with Algeria in the Sahara Desert that had not yet been demarcated earlier in 1844 or with the Varnier Line in 1912.[8] This was further complicated by the popularity of reinstating the border of Greater Morocco among Moroccan politicians among whom Allal El Fassi, then president of the Istiqlal Party.[9] These borders encompass the entirety of Mauritania, parts of Mali and Algeria.
On 23 January 1961 King Hassan II of Morocco reported that the Moroccan-Algerian commission at the ministerial level finalized a structure for a United Arab Maghreb.[10]
After Algerian independence, the border disputes remained leading to skirmishes along the Algerian-Moroccan border and the eventual outbreak of the Sand War in 1963. The dispute revolved around Morocco claiming the region surrounding Tidnouf. After two months of fighting, Algeria and Morocco agreed to a ceasefire agreed upon on 29 and 30 October 1963 in Bamako, Mali. The two main points entails that the pre-war border would remain and that the border area would be demilitarized guaranteed by Ethiopian and Malian supervisors. However, Morocco kept pushing for its demand to hold a referendum in the villages of Hassi-Beida and Tindjoub whether these would want to join Morocco or remain in Algeria.[11] The day of the official ceasefire to the Sand War on 1 November, Algerian President Ben Bella demanded the evacuation of Moroccan armed forces from Hassi-Beida and Tindjoub. The Moroccan soldiers refused which was met by a bombardment of Figuig in Morocco by Algeria. After a second ceasefire on 20 February 1964, Moroccan troops retreated Hassi-Beida and Tindjoub as did the Algerian forces from Figuig.[12]
Treaty of Ifrane
The Treaty of Ifrane, signed in January 1969, between Algerian President Houari Boumediene and Hassan's government, is a significant historical agreement that has shaped the relationship between Algeria and Morocco.[13] It represents a pivotal moment in the diplomatic history of the two North African nations, as it aimed to address long-standing territorial and border disputes between them. The treaty was named after the city of Ifrane, located in the Middle Atlas region of Morocco, where the negotiations took place.
The Treaty of Ifrane sought to establish a framework for peaceful coexistence, cooperation, and the resolution of conflicts between Algeria and Morocco. It focused on delineating the boundaries, clarifying territorial claims, and establishing mechanisms for the joint management of shared resources.[14] Furthermore, the treaty aimed to promote economic integration, cultural exchanges, fostering a sense of regional unity and stability.[15]
Signed by the respective heads of state and witnessed by international mediators, the Treaty of Ifrane symbolizes the commitment of Algeria and Morocco to resolving their differences through peaceful means and building a foundation for mutually beneficial relations. Since its signing, the treaty has played a crucial role in shaping diplomatic negotiations, fostering dialogue, and facilitating cooperation on various regional issues.[16]
While the Treaty of Ifrane has faced challenges and periodic tensions have persisted, its significance lies in providing a framework for diplomatic engagement and conflict resolution between Algeria and Morocco. It stands as a testament to the importance of dialogue and negotiation in addressing complex territorial and geopolitical issues.[16]
Western Sahara
The territory of the former colony of Western Sahara territory has caused a deep-seated antagonism and general mistrust between Algeria and Morocco that has permeated all aspects of Moroccan-Algerian relations. After Spain announced its intention to abandon the territory in 1975, relations between Morocco and Algeria, both of which had previously presented a united front, disintegrated.[17] Algeria, although not asserting any territorial claims of its own, was averse to the absorption of the territory by any of its neighbors and supported the Polisario Front's wish to create an independent nation in the territory. Before the Spanish evacuation, the Spanish government had agreed to divide the territory, transferring the majority of the land to Morocco and the remainder to Mauritania. This agreement violated a United Nations (UN) resolution that declared all historical claims by Mauritania or Morocco to be insufficient to justify territorial absorption and drew heavy criticism from Algeria.[18]
Guerrilla movements inside the Saharan territory, particularly the Polisario Front (Frente Popular para la Liberación de Saguia el Hamra y Río de Oro), having fought for Saharan independence since 1973, immediately proclaimed the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR). Algeria recognized this new self-proclaimed state in 1976, and has since pursued a determined diplomatic effort for international recognition of the territory; it has also supplied food, materials, and training to the guerrillas.[13] In 1979, after many years of extensive and fierce guerrilla warfare, Mauritania abandoned its territorial claims and withdrew. Morocco quickly claimed the territory relinquished by Mauritania. Once the SADR gained diplomatic recognition from the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and many other independent states, Morocco came under international pressure. As a result, the Moroccan government finally proposed a national referendum to determine the Saharan territory's sovereignty in 1981.[19] The referendum was to be overseen by the OAU, but the proposal was quickly retracted by the King of Morocco when the OAU could not reach agreement over referendum procedures. In 1987 the Moroccan government again agreed to recognize the Polisario and to meet to "discuss their grievances." Algeria stipulated a solitary precondition for restoration of diplomatic relations—recognition of the Polisario and talks toward a definitive solution to the Western Saharan quagmire. Without a firm commitment from the King of Morocco, Algeria conceded and resumed diplomatic relations with Morocco in 1988.[18]
Border
In 1994, Morocco accused the Algerian secret Services of being behind the Marrakech attack of 1994, where two Spaniards were killed,[20][21] and imposed visa requirement on Algerians and nationals of Algerian origin.[20] The immediate response by the Algerian government was the closure of the border with Morocco.[20] The borders are still closed, costing both countries an estimated 2% of their annual growth rate.[22] In 1999, the newly elected Algerian president Abdelaziz Bouteflika attended Hassan II of Morocco's funeral, and declared three days of official mourning in Algeria.[23] That same year, Bouteflika accused Morocco of hosting GIA bases, from which some attacks on Algerians were planned and directed. A few days later, he again accused Morocco of exporting drugs into Algeria.[24] In July 2004, King Mohammed VI abolished visa requirements for Algerians entering Morocco; in April 2006, President Bouteflika reciprocated the gesture.[25] In 2012 Algerian prime minister Ahmed Ouyahia said border reopening was not a priority for his government. Other official declarations imply that this issue is not to be solved soon.
By 2014, an increased number of voices from civil society and intellectuals had asked their respective countries to take steps to reconciliation.[26]
2021 issues
The Algerian authorities have accused Morocco of having killed, in a "barbaric bombardment", three truck drivers who were covering the route between the Mauritanian capital, Nouakchott, and the Algerian city of Ouargla and have warned that this "will not go unpunished". According to the same source, the event took place on November 1 when the victims were making a commercial trip between the countries in the area. "Several factors indicate that the Moroccan occupation forces in the Western Sahara carried out this cowardly assassination with sophisticated weaponry", it added.[27][28]
Amid the deterioration of relations with Morocco, Algeria decided not to renew the contract of the Maghreb–Europe Gas Pipeline (GME), which expired at midnight on October 31, 2021. From November 1 on, Algerian natural gas exports to Spain and Portugal are primarily transported through the Medgaz pipeline (with the short-term possibility of covering further demand either by expanding the Medgaz or by shipping LNG).[29][30][31]
Diplomatic missions and official visits
- Algeria maintains an embassy in Rabat, the capital of Morocco.[32]
- Morocco maintains an embassy in Algiers, the capital of Algeria.[33]
High level visits
- King Mohammed VI's Visit to Algeria (February 1999)[34]
- President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's Visit to Morocco (May 2000)[35]
- President Bouteflika's Visit to Morocco (September 2005)[36]
- King Mohammed VI's Visit to Algeria (March 2005)[37]
- President Bouteflika's Visit to Morocco (March 2006)[38]
- King Mohammed VI's Visit to Algeria (February 2012)[37]
- President Bouteflika's Visit to Morocco (December 2012)[39]
- King Mohammed VI's Visit to Algeria (November 2018)[40]
Break of diplomatic relations
Algeria was opposed to the normalization agreement between Morocco and Israel in December 2020.[41] In July 2021, Amnesty International and Forbidden Stories reported that Morocco had targeted more than 6,000 Algerian phones, including those of politicians and high-ranking military officials, with Pegasus spyware.[42][43] In August 2021, Algeria blamed Morocco and Israel of supporting the Movement for the self-determination of Kabylia, which the Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune accused of being involved in the wildfires in northern Algeria. Tebboune accused Morocco of perpetrating hostile acts.[44] In the same month, King Mohammed VI of Morocco reached out for reconciliation with Algeria and offered assistance in Algeria's battle against the fires.[45] Algeria did not respond to the offer.[46]
On 18 August 2021, Tebboune chaired an extraordinary meeting of the High Council of Security[47] to review Algeria's relations to Morocco. The president ordered an intensification of security controls at the borders.[48][49][50] On 24 August 2021, Algerian foreign minister Ramtane Lamamra announced the break of diplomatic relations with Morocco.[51][52] On 27 August 2021, Morocco closed the country's embassy in Algiers, Algeria.[53] Furthermore, on 22 September 2021, Algeria's Supreme Security Council determined to close its airspace to all Moroccan civilian and military aircraft.[54]
On 30 July 2022, during a speech on the 22nd anniversary of his accession to the throne, Mohammed VI called for a renewal of normal relations with Algeria.[55][56] On 27 September 2022, Algerian Minister of Justice Abderrachid Tabi met with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita in Rabat to hand over Abdelmadjid Tebboune's invitation to the Arab League Summit in Algiers on 1 November 2022 for Mohammed VI.[57] It was the first official visit since the break of diplomatic relations.[58] On 8 September 2023, Algeria opened its airspace to Morocco for the first time since 2021 to facilitate the arrival of humanitarian aid after the 2023 Marrakesh-Safi earthquake.[59]
Cultural relations
The cultural relationship between Morocco and Algeria has a rich history that spans centuries. These neighboring countries share numerous cultural, linguistic, and historical ties that have shaped their interactions over time. While political tensions and disputes have sometimes strained their relations, the cultural bond between Morocco and Algeria has remained resilient.
Language
Language plays a significant role in the cultural connection between Morocco and Algeria. Both countries share the Arabic language, with the Maghrebi dialect being spoken in various regions.[60][61] The dialects in each country have their unique nuances and accents, yet they exhibit similarities that enable effective communication and cultural exchange. Furthermore, the Berber language, specifically the Tamazight dialects, is spoken by significant populations in both nations, but the exact population of speakers has been difficult to ascertain due to lack of official recognition.[62]
Cuisine
Cuisine is another aspect that showcases the cultural similarities between Morocco and Algeria. Both nations boast a rich gastronomic heritage, characterized by the use of aromatic spices, flavorful herbs, and diverse ingredients. Staple dishes like couscous, tagines, pastilla, and harira are enjoyed on both sides of the border, albeit with regional variations.[63][64][65]
Religion
Islam, the predominant religion in both countries, influences various aspects of daily life, social norms, and festivals. Religious observances, such as Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, and Eid al-Adha, are celebrated with fervor and create opportunities for communal gatherings. These religious festivities serve as occasions for both Moroccans and Algerians to come together, celebrate, and reinforce their cultural bonds.[66] Both countries have penalties for publicly eating, drinking or smoking during Ramadan which can result in fines, community service or even jail time.[67][68][69] The countries of Kuwait,[70][71] Saudi Arabia,[72][73][74] Malaysia and United Arab Emirates[75] have similar laws.
See also
References
- "Directory - Diplomatic Missions and Consulates - Foreign Representations". Kingdom of Morocco Ministry of Foreign Affairs African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
- "Directory - Diplomatic Missions and Consulates - Moroccan Representations Abroad". Kingdom of Morocco Ministry of Foreign Affairs African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
- "Algeria cuts diplomatic relations with Morocco". Reuters. 2021-08-25. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
- "Algeria cuts diplomatic ties with Morocco over 'hostile actions'". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
- Ahmed, Hamid Ould (25 August 2021). "Algeria cuts diplomatic relations with Morocco". Reuters.
- "Algeria-Morocco relations continue to sour to 'point of no return' – GE63". Retrieved 2023-03-31.
- Sessions, Jennifer (2011). By Sword and Plow: France and the Conquest of Algeria (1 ed.). Cornell University Press.
- Yegavian, Tigraine. "Alger Rabat. L'impossible entente". Conflits (January–March 2019): 66–67.
- Reyner, Anthony S. (September 1963). "Morocco's International Boundaries: A Factual Background". The Journal of Modern African Studies. 1 (3): 313–326. doi:10.1017/S0022278X00001725. S2CID 154868086.
- "Chronology December 16, 1961-March 15, 1962". Middle East Journal. 16 (2): 184–214. Spring 1962. JSTOR 4323471.
- Lacouture, Jean (1 November 1963). "La déclaration de Bamako laisse en discussion les limites de la zone saharienne à démilitariser. Les opérations militaires se poursuivent en attendant le cessez-le-feu de samedi à 0 heure". Le Monde. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
- Wild, Patricia (1966). "The Organization of African Unity and the Algerian-Moroccan Border Conflict: A Study of New Machinery for Peacekeeping and for the Peaceful Settlement of Disputes among African States". International Organization. 20 (1): 18–36. doi:10.1017/S0020818300002733. S2CID 154714888.
- Bidwell, Robin (1998). Dictionary Of Modern Arab History. South Glamorgan: Kegan Paul International. p. 414. ISBN 978-1138967670.
- Torres-Garcia, Ana (March 2013). "US diplomacy and the North African 'War of the Sands' (1963)". The Journal of North African Studies. 18 (2): 324–348. doi:10.1080/13629387.2013.767041. ISSN 1362-9387. S2CID 144944978.
- "Ordonnance n 69-3 du 22 janvier 1960 portant ratification du traité de fraternité de bon voisinage et de coopération entre la République algérienne démocratique et populaire et le Royaume du Maroc" (PDF). Journal Officiel Algérie. 5 February 1969.
- Lounnas, Djallil; Messari, Nizar (20 October 2018). "ALGERIA–MOROCCO RELATIONS AND THEIR IMPACT ON THE MAGHREBI REGIONAL SYSTEM" (PDF). MENARA Working Papers. 20.
- Bidwell, Robin (2016). Dictionary of modern Arab history: an A t Z of over 2,000 entries from 1798 to the present day (First issued in paperback ed.). London: Routledge. p. 415. ISBN 978-1-138-96767-0.
- Entelis, John P. with Lisa Arone. "The Maghrib". Algeria: a country study Archived January 15, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. Library of Congress Federal Research Division (December 1993). This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- UN Security Council (46th Year: 1991) (1991-04-29). "Resolution 690 (1991) /: adopted by the Security Council at its 2984th meeting, on 29 April 1991".
{{cite journal}}
: Cite journal requires|journal=
(help) - Yahia H. Zoubir, Haizam Amirah-Fernández (2008). North Africa Politics, Region, and the Limits of Transformation. Routledge. p. 247. ISBN 978-1-134-08740-2.
- Xinhua (2012-03-27). "Reopening border between Morocco, Algeria requires deeper examination: minister". Retrieved August 20, 2012.
- EastWest Institute (2020-04-08). "Algeria-Morocco Business Dialogue: The Agricultural and Food Manufacturing Sector".
- "Region mourns death of King Hassan". BBC News. 24 July 1999. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
- Carol Migdalovitz. "Morocco: Royal Succession and Other Developments" (PDF). wikileaks.org. Retrieved August 20, 2012.
- Alexis Arieff Analyst in African Affairs (December 20, 2011). "Morocco: Current Issues#Foreign Policy" (PDF). Retrieved August 20, 2012.
- Oumazzane, Tarik. "Algeria-Morocco: have we missed the bridge?". Morocco World News. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
- "Three Algerians killed in attack presidency blames on Morocco - Conflict News". Al Jazeera. 3 Nov 2021. Retrieved 3 Nov 2021.
- "Argelia acusa a Marruecos de matar a tres camioneros argelinos en un bombardeo". 3 November 2021.
- "Argelia cierra el gasoducto del Magreb y abre una gran incógnita sobre el futuro del surtido de gas a España". La Voz de Galicia. 1 November 2021.
- "Europe's energy crisis: Spain presses Algeria to guarantee natural gas supply". Euronews. 28 October 2021.
- "Algeria to halt gas exports to Spain via Morocco". Africanews. 1 November 2021.
- "Embassy of Algeria in Rabat, Morocco". Embassy WorldWide. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
- "Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in Algiers, Algeria". Embassy WorldWide. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
- "Moroccan king begins historic visit to African nations". aa.com.
- Lounnas, Djallil. "ALGERIA–MOROCCO RELATIONS AND THEIR IMPACT ON THE MAGHREBI REGIONAL SYSTEM" (PDF). 20. MENARA Working Papers.
- "KUNA : Algerian President visits Morocco in April - Politics - 31/03/2005". www.kuna.net.kw. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
- Yabiladi.com. "Morocco- Algeria : A series of failed attempts to strengthen diplomatic relations". en.yabiladi.com. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
- "Background Note: Algeria". U.S. Departement of state.
- "Verslag bezoek Hoge Vertegenwoordiger Ashton aan Marokko en Algerije op 5 en 6 november 2012 (en)". www.europa-nu.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 2023-05-18.
- IANS (2018-11-08). "Morocco's King Mohammed VI invites Algeria for direct talks". The Statesman. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
- Zoubir, Yahia H. "Why Algeria cut diplomatic ties with Morocco: and implications for the future". The Conversation. Retrieved 2021-09-18.
- Cheref, Abdelkader (2021-07-29). "Is Morocco's cyber espionage the last straw for Algeria?". Archived from the original on 2021-07-29. Retrieved 2021-09-18.
- "Pegasus: From its own king to Algeria, the infinite reach of Morocco's intelligence services". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 2021-09-18.
- "Algeria blames groups it links to Morocco, Israel for wildfires". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2021-09-18.
- "Moroccan king reaches out again for reconciliation with Algeria | Mohamed Alaoui". AW. Retrieved 2021-09-18.
- Kasraoui, Safaa. "Algerian President: No Answer to King Mohammed VI's Dialogue Initiative". Archived from the original on 2021-08-09. Retrieved 2021-09-18.
- "President Tebboune chairs extraordinary meeting of High Security Council". Algeria Press Service. 18 August 2021. Archived from the original on 2021-08-19. Retrieved 2021-09-18.
- AfricaNews (2021-08-18). "Algeria accuses Morocco of involvement in its deadly fires, to "review" relations". Africanews. Archived from the original on 2021-08-18. Retrieved 2021-09-18.
- "Algeria opts for escalation with Morocco amid simmering tensions |". AW. Retrieved 2021-09-18.
- Admin. "Algeria Accuses Morocco Of Involvement In Fires And Will Review Relations » World » Prime Time Zone". Retrieved 2021-09-18.
- "Algeria breaks off diplomatic ties with neighbouring Morocco". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2021-09-18.
- "Algiers' diplomatic break with Rabat threatens the new balance between Spain and Morocco". The Canadian. 2021-08-25. Retrieved 2021-09-18.
- "Morocco shuts embassy in Algiers - English Service". ANSA.it. 2021-08-27. Retrieved 2021-09-18.
- "Algeria closes airspace to Moroccan aviation". reuters.com. 22 September 2021.
- "Morocco's King Mohammed VI reiterates openness to restoring ties with Algeria". France 24. 2022-07-31. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
- "Morocco king favours restoration of diplomatic ties with Algeria". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
- "Reluctant Algeria invites rival Morocco to Arab League meet". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2022-10-05.
- Staff, The New Arab (2022-09-27). "Algeria minister in Morocco in first after diplomatic freeze". The New Arab. Retrieved 2022-10-05.
- "Algeria will open airspace for aid flights to Morocco. - Political Lore". Political Lore - Political Lore (in Russian). 2023-09-09. Retrieved 2023-09-09.
- "Moroccan constitution" (PDF). 2012-02-29. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2012-02-29. Retrieved 2023-05-10.
- "Algeria's Constitution of 2020" (PDF). Constituteproject.org. 27 April 2022.
- "Dictionary of languages : the definitive reference to more than 400 languages | WorldCat.org". www.worldcat.org. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
- Long, Lucy M. (2015-07-17). Ethnic American Food Today: A Cultural Encyclopedia. Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 24–27. ISBN 978-1-4422-2731-6.
- Edelstein, Sari (2011). Food, Cuisine, and Cultural Competency for Culinary, Hospitality, and Nutrition Professionals. Jones & Bartlett Learning. p. 344. ISBN 978-0-7637-5965-0.
- "The Art of Moroccan Cuisine". Fescooking & Morocco Cultural Tours. 2007-10-10. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
- "Risallah.com :: De Vastenmaand Ramadan 2023". www.risallah.com (in Dutch). Retrieved 2023-05-18.
- News, Staff Writer-Morocco World. "Morocco's Penal Code and Public Eating in Ramadan". www.moroccoworldnews.com/. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
{{cite web}}
:|last=
has generic name (help) - News, Oumaima Latrech-Morocco World. "Ramadan: 80 Moroccans Arrested for Publicly Eating in Casablanca". www.moroccoworldnews.com/. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
{{cite web}}
:|last=
has generic name (help) - "Algerians jailed for breaking Ramadan fast". 2008-12-11. Archived from the original on 2008-12-11. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
- "Kuwait Times | First English Daily in Kuwait". 2020-01-07. Archived from the original on 2020-01-07. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
- "You are being redirected..." www.moi.gov.kw. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
- "Taking it to heart". The Economist. ISSN 0013-0613. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
- "Ramadan warning for expats in Saudi Arabia". www.telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
- Chalabi, Mona (2013-07-10). "Ramadan in numbers". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
- "gulfnews : New penalty for minor offences in UAE". 2010-03-01. Archived from the original on 2010-03-01. Retrieved 2023-05-18.