Interview of Belgacem Merbah by the Think Tank International Crisis Group on Algerian-Moroccan relations

As part of a research project on diplomatic relations and tensions between Algeria and Morocco, I was asked by the International Crisis Group to answer some questions. In the interest of transparency to those who trust us, we publish the full interview in this article.

ICG: Can we talk about the rise of a real virtual nationalist movement (Algerian Patriots, Algerian Brotherhood etc.) in Algeria in response to the nationalism of the Moroccan "moorish"?

Belgacem Merbah : 

I can't talk about Algerian Brotherhood, I'll just talk about Algerian Patriots.

I do not think that the problem is posed in these terms: first, the term nationalism is not adapted to our case, it is rather patriotism. Moreover, I refuse the parallel that you make between what I do through Algerian Patriots which is a spontaneous citizen movement and the moorish movement which is a racist movement, organized by the Moroccan services (the DGED more precisely) to attack the Algerian home front.

I think you don't know Algeria well: Algerians are generally very patriotic as is the case for Russians or Americans. To give you an example, all the students in Algeria sing the national anthem every morning in all the schools of the country.

We love our country and it is normal to defend it when it is attacked. Our channel was not created to respond exclusively to Moroccan attacks, I would point out, for example, that when Emmanuel Macron questioned the existence of the Algerian nation, our channel attacked Macron's irresponsible remarks with great vehemence. We love Algeria and we defend our country against anyone who attacks it.

Finally, we have nothing virtual, we are real, we only take advantage of the new means of communication to get our messages across and occupy the field so as not to let our opponents pass their untruths.

ICG: Is this Algerian nationalism really rooted in the Algerian society or is it rather a virtual phenomenon, which has little resonance in real life?

Belgacem Merbah : 

I think I have already answered your question.

ICG: Is this movement able to influence Algerian public opinion and even Algerian officials?

Belgacem Merbah: 

Algerian Patriots does not receive any funding from the Algerian state, we are completely free and independent. I don't know if what we do directly influences the policies in Algeria. However, what I am sure of is that our action resonates with the Algerian people: since we started, our videos have had more than 20 million views on all platforms (Youtube, Facebook and Twitter).

ICG: What are its general orientations in foreign policy, for example towards the United States, Russia, France, the Emirates etc.?

Belgacem Merbah : 

Algeria is a country that belongs to the organization of non-aligned countries. Contrary to what one can read in the foreign media, especially in France, Algeria is not a vassal country of Russia. Our country is independent and free of its decisions, we have excellent relations with our Russian friends and also good relations with the Americans who are very present in the hydrocarbon sector in Algeria and this since the nationalization of hydrocarbons.

The relationship with France is complicated, because of the issue of memory and the omnipresence of certain lobbies hostile to Algeria in France (pieds noirs and circles close to Israel) but especially because of certain orientations of French foreign policies that are in opposition to our vital interests (example: support of France to Morocco on the issue of Western Sahara).

The Emirates being a vassal state, I do not think that Algeria has problems with the Emirates but rather with the principals of the Emirates, hence the measured posture of the Algerian authorities vis-à-vis the Emirates.

ICG: As far as relations with Morocco are concerned, can we say that this movement advocates a more offensive approach towards this neighbor?

Belgacem Merbah : 

We are completely aligned with the positions of our diplomacy. We are very satisfied with the breaking of diplomatic relations with Morocco and we will support all future actions of our diplomacy.

ICG: How do you think this movement could influence regional diplomacy or at least public opinion in these two countries?

Belgacem Merbah : 

Once again, you are not putting the problem in the right terms: in Morocco, there is no freedom of expression or association, the person of the king is sacred and no one can bring a contradiction to the policy decided by the king, who is the real head of state (see the latest report of Human Right Watch). The prime minister in Morocco and all the ministries are only extras, everything is decided at the level of the royal cabinet. Therefore, the moorish movements and other caricatures present on the Internet are only executors of the royal policy. It is therefore totally excluded for us, who are a free citizen movement, to put our hands in the hands of criminal officines of the Moroccan intelligence services that torture with the worst of manners the Moroccan political opponents.

We wish the development of the Algerian democracy, which is not perfect but which progresses. Our goal is to continue to raise awareness, in order to strengthen the patriotism and civic-mindedness of Algerians to solidify our home front and to be immune to the 4th generation wars that our country has been undergoing for years.

Finally, we do not wish a common future with Morocco of Mohamed VI! As long as the Moroccan people do not rise up against the Alaouite regime which is a medieval regime and predator of the wealth of the Moroccan people, no reconciliation can be envisaged with Morocco, because the Alaouites since 1666 have always been the enemies of the Algerian people.