Moroccan Expansionist Ambitions on Algerian Territory During the Algerian War: Analysis of a 1957 French Intelligence Document

A document from the French intelligence services, dated December 16, 1957, reveals Morocco's expansionist ambitions toward Algeria during the Algerian War of Independence. This document sheds new light on the complex relationship between the two countries and partially contradicts the historical narrative taught in Algeria, which emphasizes Morocco's unconditional support for the Algerian revolution.

In the official version of the Algerian War's history, as taught in Algerian schools, Morocco under King Mohammed V is portrayed as a steadfast ally in the struggle for Algerian independence. This narrative highlights the unity of the Moroccan and Algerian peoples in their fight against French colonialism. It is true that the Algerian revolutionaries initially saw their struggle as part of a broader Maghreb liberation movement (Tunisia – Algeria – Morocco). The attack on the Northern Constantine region in August 1955, for example, was carried out in response to the exile of the Moroccan Sultan to Madagascar, illustrating this regional solidarity.

However, the year 1956 marked a decisive turning point in relations between Algeria and Morocco. During this period, Morocco and Tunisia obtained their independence after direct negotiations with France, leaving Algeria to continue its armed struggle alone. This divergence in trajectories revealed, according to some Algerian observers, the "true face" of Morocco, which was then seen as driven by expansionist ambitions. These ambitions were particularly embodied in the theory of "Greater Morocco," promoted by Allal El Fassi, a key figure in Moroccan nationalism. This concept, developed in 1956 with the influence of the French intelligence service (SDEC), claimed territories far beyond Morocco's current borders, including Western Sahara, Mauritania, part of the Algerian Sahara (west), and a portion of northwestern Mali.

To impose these territorial claims on the Algerians, Morocco adopted a military and diplomatic strategy from 1956 onward. The Moroccan Liberation Army (ALM) conducted a prolonged guerrilla campaign along the Algerian-Moroccan border, seeking to weaken Algerian resistance and enforce the idea of "Greater Morocco." Simultaneously, efforts were made to convince the notables of the border regions to pledge allegiance to Sultan Mohammed V, leveraging historical and tribal affiliations.

The December 1957 document provides a detailed account of these efforts. It describes how members of the ALM traveled to Béchar to persuade the local population that they were, in fact, Moroccans and should therefore submit to the Sultan's authority. This document suggests that, far from being a disinterested supporter of the Algerian cause, Morocco pursued its own geopolitical objectives, casting doubt on the sincerity of its support for the Algerian revolution.

It is crucial to note that those involved in this effort were not members of the Moroccan Royal Army but rather of the Moroccan Liberation Army, a force supposedly representing the will of the Moroccan people. This fact underscores a convergence between the expansionist goals of the Moroccan regime and a segment of Moroccan society, challenging the idea of homogeneous Maghreb solidarity during this crucial period.

In conclusion, this 1957 French intelligence document provides a nuanced perspective on the relations between Algeria and Morocco during the war of independence. It shows that Morocco's territorial ambitions played a significant role in the regional dynamics and invites a reconsideration of simplified historical narratives that overlook the complexities of this period.

Belgacem Merbah