Expulsion of Moroccans from Algeria

On 18 December 1975, the first day of Eid al-Adha, the Algerian president Houari Boumediene ordered the expulsion of all Amazigh Moroccan nationals from Algeria, resulting in the exodus of 45,000 Moroccan families,[1] or by some accounts 350,000 people in total.[2][3] Although, according to some modern sources, between 10,000 [4] to 30,000 were expelled and 5,000 Moroccans were granted Algerian nationality.[5][6] The expulsion was a response to the Madrid Accords (which did not include the consultation of Algeria nor the POLISARIO movement)[7] and the earlier Green March in the Western Sahara.[8][9]

In this image, Algeria is shown in Green, while Morocco is coloured Orange.

Expulsion of Moroccans from Algeria

Part of the Western Sahara War
Map showing locations of Algeria and Morocco.
Date	18 December 1975 (47 years ago)
Type	mass deportation
Organized by	Government of Algeria
Outcome	45,000 Moroccan Amazigh families expelled

The exodus, code-named by the Algerian government as the "Black March", was carried out by Abdelaziz Bouteflika, then the foreign minister of Algeria at the time.

45,000 families were estimated to have been expelled; a large portion of them had lived in Algeria for decades or even centuries.[10][11][12] Most Moroccans had lived wealthy lifestyles and were in good conditions prior to the expulsion.[13] Many families were separated; Moroccans who had married Algerians were not deported but their family members usually were. Many Moroccans have not yet been reunited with their families.[13][14]