The recent announcement that Steve Witkoff, a U.S. special envoy appointed by Donald Trump, intends to “end the diplomatic crisis between Algeria and Morocco” has sparked widespread reactions and questions. According to his own statements, he hopes to achieve a “peace agreement” between the two countries within the next two months, while simultaneously working on negotiations between Iran and the United States.
But this wording—“peace agreement”—raises a fundamental question: what war are we talking about?
A Misreading of the Situation
Algeria and Morocco are not at war. There is no armed conflict, no direct military confrontation between the two states. What divides them is a deep political crisis, rooted in irreconcilable positions on sovereignty, regional security, and mutual respect.
Reducing this complex reality to a mere “disagreement” to be smoothed over by ad hoc mediation reflects either a misunderstanding of the nature of the dispute or a deliberate attempt to place both countries on the same moral and diplomatic footing—something Algeria categorically rejects.
Algeria’s Position Is Clear and Consistent
The conditions for any normalization with Morocco are well known and were firmly reiterated by Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra when announcing the severance of diplomatic ties on August 24, 2021.
On that day, Lamamra laid out, on behalf of the Algerian state, a series of specific grievances:
- Persistent hostility and subversive plots: Rabat actively supports separatist organizations (MAK, Rachad) and orchestrates destabilization campaigns targeting Algeria’s national unity.
- State-sponsored espionage: The Pegasus scandal revealed massive surveillance of Algerian officials using Israeli spyware supplied to Morocco—a direct assault on national sovereignty.
- Strategic alliance with the Zionist entity: In 2020, Rabat normalized relations with Israel under U.S. mediation, in exchange for Washington’s illegal recognition of Morocco’s claims over Western Sahara. This collusion places a hostile power at Algeria’s doorstep.
- Institutionalized expansionism: The “Greater Morocco” doctrine, enshrined in the Constitution and taught in schools, seeks to annex Algerian and Saharan territories. This is not an opinion—it is state policy.
- Illegal occupation and crimes in Western Sahara: Since 1975, Morocco has violated international law by occupying a non-self-governing territory, repressing the Sahrawi people and forcing them into exile.
- False accusations after the 1994 Marrakech attack: Rabat falsely blamed Algeria, harassed its nationals, and triggered the closure of borders.
- Collusion with terrorism: Rabat sheltered GIA leaders during Algeria’s “Black Decade” and continues to fund subversive networks.
- Media and cognitive warfare: Moroccan media and digital armies wage systematic propaganda and disinformation campaigns against Algeria.
- Narcotics warfare and cultural appropriation: Morocco floods Algeria with cannabis to finance criminal and terrorist networks, while attempting to falsify history and appropriate Algerian heritage.
No External Mediation Can Override Principles
No diplomatic initiative—whether American, Qatari, or otherwise—can claim to “reconcile” the two countries unless Morocco renounces these hostile policies and abides by the fundamental principles of international law.
The Shadow of Kushner and the “Deal of the Century”
The involvement of Jared Kushner, architect of the 2020 Morocco-Israel normalization, raises legitimate concerns.
Kushner and Witkoff, both from the real estate sector, approach diplomacy as a transaction—a “deal-making” exercise where everything is negotiable. This logic, which may have worked in a very specific Middle Eastern context, does not apply to Algerian-Moroccan relations.
Algeria does not negotiate its sovereignty, does not “trade” its principles, and does not seek cosmetic arrangements to please Washington or Tel Aviv.
A Mediation Without Substance
Speaking of a “peace agreement” distorts the nature of the dispute.
Algeria is not engaged in armed conflict, but it is in profound political and moral disagreement with a neighbor that has chosen to ally itself with foreign powers hostile to regional stability.
The 2021 diplomatic rupture was not an impulsive gesture but an act of sovereignty, consistent with Algeria’s diplomatic tradition: non-interference, respect for colonial-era borders, and unwavering defense of peoples’ right to self-determination—specifically that of the Sahrawi people.
Conclusion: No Peace Without Respect
What some call “mediation” only makes sense if it is grounded in respect for fundamental principles. Algeria has never been a belligerent state, but it will not tolerate the trivialization of diplomatic and security aggressions it faces.
Before speaking of “peace,” we must speak of truth. And the truth is this: the ball is in Morocco’s court—to end its hostile maneuvers, comply with UN resolutions on Western Sahara, and abandon its policy of provocation.
Only then could normalization be considered—not as a “peace agreement,” but as a return to normal relations based on law, sincerity, and sovereignty.
By Belgacem Merbah
Morocco is referring to " war" because they are constantly thinking of aggressing Algeria through various means: drug, smugling, spying etc...they benefitted for more than 3 decades from our gas and subsidized foodstuff, but still comtemplating to destroy us ! So, no discussions, no relationship with an ennemy.
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