Why does Algeria not mention the Algerian territories despoiled in 1845 by France for the benefit of Morocco?

Since the unification of Numidia in 202 BC, the Algerian borders have always extended to Oued Melouya in the extreme west of our territory (History of the Berbers, W. M-G de Slane, volume III, page 180 and History of the Berbers. Translation of Slane. Volume I, p. 194 and following).

The arrival of the French in Algeria in 1830 was the cause of an inestimable loss of territory for Algeria. Indeed, in order to crush the resistance of Emir Abdelkader who led heroic battles against France between 1832 and 1847, France found in the person of Sultan Abderrahmane of Morocco an ideal ally, as the interests of Abderrahmane and France coincided: Abderrahmane viewed the military exploits of the Emir Abdelkader, who was of Idrisside descent, with disfavor, and the prestige of the Emir Abdelkader became increasingly important, even in Morocco. There was a risk for his throne which was under the threat of several Berber tribes who did not recognize his leadership over Morocco. Thus, the Moroccan sultan made an alliance with France to betray the Emir Abdelkader and as a reward, France signed the treaty of Lala Maghnia with Abderrahmane on March 18, 1845, by virtue of which France ceded to Morocco the Algerian territories east of Oued Melouya up to our present borders.

Unfortunately very few Algerians know that more than 80,000 km² of Algerian territories were offered by France to the Sultanate of Fez and Marrakech on March 18, 1845: cities like Oujda, Guercif, Figuig, Taza, Taourirt and others were all Algerian cities. Until today, we still see the Algerian cultural influence which is distinct from the Marrakech culture. This ignorance of our history has put us in spite of ourselves in a defensive position, especially when we hear our enemies talking about the Eastern Sahara or other far-fetched and historically baseless claims. The Moroccan nerve has reached the point where we sometimes see Moroccan officials contesting the borders inherited from colonization and wishing to open negotiations so that Morocco can be restored in its right.

Algeria is still suffering the consequences of this territorial amputation. For example, if we look at the files submitted by Morocco to UNESCO, more than 90% of these files refer to the Algerian territories despoiled by France in 1845. It is therefore also in this way that Morocco attributes our heritage to itself. This historical injustice also allows Morocco to claim heroes of our national resistance like Cheikh Bouamama who was born in Figuig in 1833 (in 1833 Figuig was Algerian).

We can thank the Moroccans for the hate campaigns against Algeria and all the propaganda deployed to reclaim what they call the Eastern Sahara, this propaganda has allowed many Algerians to take an interest in their history and understand that Morocco has gained a lot from the French colonization: France allowed the sultans of Morocco to save their thrones, France allowed Morocco to be unified by subduing the Berber tribes that did not accept the Alaouite sultans, France finally offered Morocco more than 80,000 km² of Algerian land. With all this, the Alaouite regime still seems to be eager for new territories and new wealth. Algeria must stop being in a defensive position and claim its territories east of Ouled Melouya back to the motherland.

We hope that this article will raise awareness and change our policy towards the Moroccan enemy.

To go further see this video : https://odysee.com/@AlgerianPatriots:7/video-1110-%D9%85%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%B3%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%85%D9%8A-%D9%8A%D9%86%D8%B3%D9%89:0

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By Belgacem Merbah

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