Skip to main content

Moroccan Expansionist Ambitions 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

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The CIA declassifies a document that reveals Morocco's true motives in the 1963 Sand War

The recent declassification of a CIA document dated August 23, 1957, sheds new light on French intentions regarding oil fields in Algeria and plans for post-independence Algeria. This document provides valuable details on French economic and political strategies, as well as the geopolitical dynamics of the era. French Intentions for the Algerian Sahara According to the document, France intended to retain the Algerian Sahara at all costs, planning to divide it into two separate departments. This decision reflects the strategic importance of this resource-rich region for France. The Sahara, with its vast oil and gas reserves, represented a major economic stake. Infrastructure Strategy and Cooperation with Spain France did not plan to build pipelines to the north of Algeria to avoid any energy dependence on an independent Algeria. Instead, discussions were underway with Spain to evacuate oil and gas via Western Sahara, then under Spanish control. The Spanish authorities, enthusiastic abou...
Post a Comment
Read more

Morocco persists in communicating imaginary projects to counter Algeria's concrete and operational initiatives in favor of its African depth

  After the imaginary Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline project , Morocco recently embarked on a new pipe dream entitled: access for Sahelian countries to the Atlantic Ocean. The only thing serious about these projects, whose feasibility and financing are still unclear, are the Pharaonic means of communication used by Morocco to hammer home its fallacious and intellectually dishonest messages.  We should also note the diplomatic efforts made by the Moroccans to organize colloquia in Marrakech with African leaders of dubious morality and mediocre intellectual level, in order to present a project with vague outlines and objectives.  We can legitimately wonder why the foreign ministers of the Sahel countries decided to travel to Marrakech, as the project to give the Sahel countries access to the Atlantic is far from being an easily achievable project, as it faces a number of geopolitical, geostrategic and financial challenges: Was Mauritania consulted (it did not take part in the...
3 comments
Read more

Algerian-Moroccan relations through the media prism and Moroccan-led mediation attempts

On August 24, 2021, Algeria took the historic step of officially severing diplomatic relations with Morocco. This move, seen as a direct response to Morocco's hostile actions, highlights a series of political, historical and geopolitical tensions that have plagued relations between the two neighbors for decades. This summary explores the major reasons for this rupture, integrating media dynamics, unsuccessful attempts at mediation, and historical grievances accumulated against Morocco. Relations between Algeria and Morocco have historically been marked by geopolitical tensions, notably due to the Western Sahara conflict and deep-seated political rivalries. This climate of mistrust is exacerbated by media coverage on both sides, with Moroccan media playing a key role in maintaining an obsession with Algeria, while Moroccan attempts to seek international mediation to ease these tensions remain unsuccessful. 1. Historical and political background The rivalry between Algeria and Morocc...
Post a Comment
Read more