The Myth of Algeria’s Need for Atlantic Access: A Tool of Moroccan Propaganda

For decades, Moroccan authorities and media have perpetuated the idea that Algeria has a strategic ambition to gain direct access to the Atlantic Ocean. This narrative, which is both exaggerated and disconnected from economic and geopolitical realities, is often used to justify Morocco's claims over Western Sahara. Upon closer examination, it becomes clear that this claim is not supported by facts but is instead a rhetorical tool aimed at legitimizing Moroccan policies in the region.

1. The Moroccan Narrative: A Geopolitical Fiction

Morocco frequently portrays Algeria as having expansionist ambitions, suggesting that its support for the Sahrawi people and their right to self-determination is driven by hidden strategic interests rather than principles of justice or international law.

However, this hypothesis is baseless:

• Algeria already has extensive maritime access. With over 1,600 kilometers of Mediterranean coastline, Algeria is well-positioned to engage in global trade routes.
• Western Sahara holds no economic significance for Algeria. Contrary to Moroccan assertions, Algeria has never expressed a need to access the Atlantic through this territory. Algeria’s support for the Sahrawi cause is consistent with its historic commitment to liberation movements and adherence to United Nations resolutions.

The Moroccan narrative distorts historical and geopolitical realities to justify its occupation of Western Sahara while attempting to discredit Algeria on the international stage.

2. Geographical and Strategic Realities: A Strong Counter-Argument

a. Algeria’s Strategic Position in the Mediterranean

Algeria enjoys an enviable position along the Mediterranean, one of the world’s most heavily trafficked maritime corridors. Recent trade flow data confirms that Algerian ports such as Algiers, Oran, and Béjaïa provide efficient connections to European, Asian, and African markets.

The Mediterranean’s importance to global commerce is indisputable:

• It connects the Suez Canal and the Strait of Gibraltar, two critical maritime chokepoints.
• It hosts major southern European ports (e.g., Marseille, Valencia, Barcelona), which serve as vital hubs for intercontinental trade.

Given this context, Algeria has no need to pursue Atlantic access, which would offer limited additional benefits and come at disproportionate economic and logistical costs.

b. Proximity of Oran to the Atlantic

Oran, Algeria’s second-largest economic hub, is only about seven hours by land from the Atlantic Ocean via Morocco. In modern logistics, this distance is negligible for cargo transportation. With appropriate road and rail infrastructure, Algeria could easily route goods to the Atlantic through Moroccan ports if needed, rendering direct access unnecessary.

c. The Atlantic: A Maritime Desert

Contrary to popular belief, the Atlantic coastline of Africa, including Morocco’s, is often considered a "maritime desert." None of the world’s top 100 ports are located along this stretch. For example:

• Morocco, despite modern Atlantic ports like Tanger Med, cannot rival major Mediterranean hubs such as Marseille or Barcelona.
• African Atlantic trade volumes are comparatively low, reflecting the region’s lack of integration into global shipping networks.

These realities debunk the notion that Atlantic access would provide Algeria with any significant strategic or economic advantage.

3. The Atlantic Facade: A Justification for Western Sahara

Morocco leverages the argument of Algeria’s supposed desire for Atlantic access to justify its occupation of Western Sahara. This strategy is built on multiple falsehoods:

• Misrepresenting Algeria’s support. By accusing Algeria of seeking Atlantic access, Morocco aims to divert attention from the Sahrawis' right to self-determination, which is enshrined in international law and recognized by the United Nations.
• Legitimizing its occupation. By portraying Algeria as a strategic threat, Morocco bolsters its nationalist rhetoric to justify its annexation of Western Sahara.

This narrative is part of a broader propaganda campaign designed to sway public opinion domestically and internationally.

4. Moroccan Falsehoods: Economic and Strategic Distortions

a. The Reality of Moroccan Ports

While Morocco has made significant investments in its ports, such as Tanger Med, these facilities remain secondary players in global shipping compared to major Mediterranean and Northern European hubs.

b. The Weak Economic Importance of the Atlantic

The Atlantic is far from a priority for Europe and North Africa. For instance:

• Spain, despite having an extensive Atlantic coastline, focuses its trade on Mediterranean ports like Valencia and Barcelona.
• France relies on Le Havre, a port on the English Channel near the North Sea, while its Atlantic coastline remains largely underutilized.

These examples highlight that the Atlantic’s strategic importance is overstated by Moroccan discourse.

Conclusion: A Deliberately False Narrative

The claim that Algeria seeks access to the Atlantic Ocean is a myth propagated by Morocco to advance its geopolitical goals, particularly the justification of its occupation of Western Sahara. This rhetoric is built on unfounded arguments that collapse under scrutiny of economic, geographical, and strategic realities.

In truth, Algeria has no need or interest in accessing the Atlantic, given its advantageous position in the Mediterranean. The Moroccan narrative serves as a tool of manipulation and disinformation, designed to deflect attention from the legitimate rights of the Sahrawi people and to validate its territorial ambitions in Western Sahara.

Belgacem Merbah