Algeria–Tunisia relations

The Deys of Algeria launched frequent attacks against the Beys of Tunisia to achieve autonomy in the region (see Tunisian-Algerian Wars). In 1705 they attempted to launch one final attack to overtake Tunis. This attack was repelled by Al-Husayn I ibn Ali and led to the formation of the Husainid dynasty.[1] The deys of Algiers eventually incited the overthrowing of Husayn l by grooming his nephew, Abu l-Hasan Ali I to be an Algiers friendly ruler of Tunisia. Eventually ‘Ali Pasha gained control in 1735 and began to start paying tributes back to Algiers.[2] However this support would be short lived after the Dey supported another overturning of power in 1745 now supporting Husayn l's sons to take back the throne from ‘Ali Pasha. This attempt failed and resulted in ‘Ali Pasha remaining leader of Tunis until he was eventually overthrown by the sons of Husayn in 1756.[1][2]

The fall of ‘Ali Pasha was ushered in not only by Algeria but by Husayn b. ‘Ali's sons. Algeria officially ransacked Tunis in 1756 with the sons help but the Algerians had the goal to remain in control of the city.[1] Eventually the eldest son, Muhammad, was able to ward off Algeria and was also able to avoid paying tribute on account that both countries were under Ottoman rule. This left Tunisia on equal grounds with Algeria and resulted in Tunisia's economy growing along with its capability to rule its interior.[2] This newfound prosperity would soon be challenged at the emergence of Hammuda ibn Ali and Algeria's disliking towards his desire to end the economic exploitation of Tunisia still occurring.

Hammuda Bey was a ruler of Tunisia who vehemently opposed subjugation from Algeria and other European powers. In 1806 he began to opposed the tributary system which had been in place since 1756 along with forming an army to defend against Algeria.[1] Hammuda launched an offensive on the Algerian city of Constantine in 1807 and again defended Tunis from an Algerian counterattack.[3] Algeria would attack again in 1811 and 1813 but was repelled both times. After both nations were crippled economically by the crackdown of piracy in the Mediterranean, it made them extremely susceptible to foreign influence. The French eventually had enough of Algiers and launched a siege of the city in 1830 that would last until 1962. Tunisia remained neutral in the affair and even profited through the weakening of the Algiers regency and improved trade with the French.[3] This profit would not last long though as the French began to abuse their power in the region more and more until eventually they took complete control in 1881.

Smaller and in a more precarious position vis-à-vis Libya, Tunisia has consistently made efforts to align with Algeria.[4] Tunisia was the first of these two countries to gain independence in 1956. Tunisia supported Algeria in their war of independence by letting members of the FLN use Tunisian towns as bases of operation, which eventually led to the bombing of the village of Sakiet Sidi Youssef.[5] A rift between these two nations had begun to form however, as Tunisia was backed by the United States while Algeria was supportive of the Soviet Union. This had created growing security concerns in Tunisia as Algeria continued to grow more anti American.[6] Eventually these concerns were quelled as Algeria signed a pact with Morocco in 1969 and later with Tunisia in 1970.[7] This agreement resulted in Tunisia reversing its position on the Western Sahara, settling border disputes with Algeria, and agreeing to have Algerian oil transported to the Tunisian port of Skhira so as not to antagonize Algerian authorities.[7][6][4] Additionally, Tunisia was the first nation to sign the Treaty of Fraternity and Concord with Algeria, in 1983.[4] The treaty increased Algerian Tunisian relations while uniting the countries against Morocco and their claims in Western Sahara.[8]

Throughout Algeria's independent history, it has joined in a number of economic ventures with Tunisia, including the transnational pipeline running from Algeria through Tunisia to Italy in 1983.[4] In 1987 the departure from power in Tunisia of President Habib Bourguiba and his replacement by the more diplomatic Zine el Abidine Ben Ali brought the two nations closer again.[4] This resulted in the formation of Arab Maghreb Union in February 1989, to which Tunisia and Algeria were both founding members. The goal of this agreement was to improve the economic position of North African countries while supporting free trade and economic movement across the region.[5] While addressing the Maghribi summit the day after signing the pact, leader of Tunisia at the time Zine El Abidine Ben Ali said this about the newly formed alliance, “This declaration in itself represents a core political choice whose features became clear on the agreement that defines the legal and institutional framework for unified Maghreb action.”[5] This pact was essential for both parties, It provided Tunisia a guarantee that Algerian hegemony in the region would not be realized while for Algeria it provided political stability and allowed them to regain support from the people after social unrest in 1988.