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Moroccan Political Communication and the Escalation of Provocative Gestures Toward Algeria During the 2025 Bousbir Africa Cup of Nations

On the occasion of the Africa Cup of Nations held in Morocco, the media discourse close to the Moroccan authorities witnessed a clear escalation, characterized by fabricated narratives, staged media scenes, and a series of provocations against Algeria. This strategy—aimed at politically exploiting a sporting event—reveals a fragile social and political backdrop that the authorities are visibly attempting to conceal and divert public attention away from.

Unacceptable Provocations

In addition to speeches and media narratives, this tournament was marked by two widely discussed incidents:

  • In several Moroccan cities, Algerian flags were displayed upside down, turning what should have been a simple protocol gesture into a highly symbolic message. In an already sensitive political context, this act was interpreted as a deliberate provocation directed at Algeria.

  • During the opening ceremony, the Algerian flag was the only flag that was not visible (the camera angle did not allow our national emblem to be seen), despite the continental nature of the competition, which normally requires the display of all participating nations’ flags. Numerous sources documented this omission, reinforcing the perception of a political intent to sideline Algeria in a space meant to remain purely sporting.

Taken together, these incidents point to a strategy of symbolic escalation that goes far beyond the sporting arena.

Constructing Narratives Aimed at Fueling Tension

Parallel to these symbolic gestures, certain media outlets close to the authorities sought to turn the normal presence of Algerian fans in the stadiums into a political issue. Allegations were circulated accusing members of the Algerian delegation of hiding a portrait of King Mohammed VI inside their hotel. This story was magnified and presented as an extension of the October 31 incident at the United Nations, when the Moroccan representative concealed the Algerian flag during a session on Western Sahara.

This form of “artificial symmetry” reflects a clear intention to maintain a high level of narrative tension.

Fabricated Testimonies Serving a Predetermined Narrative

Recordings also spread of individuals portrayed as Algerians calling for the reopening of the borders. However, their weak command of the Algerian accent and the obviously staged nature of the scenes quickly raised public skepticism. It became evident that the aim was to create the impression of an Algerian public desire aligned with the Moroccan position. The result, however, was the opposite: the operation was widely seen as an obvious attempt at media manipulation.

A Highly Tense Domestic Social Context

All of this is happening while Morocco faces serious internal social crises. Building collapses in Fez and severe floods in Safi have exposed a clear weakness in emergency response capabilities and infrastructure. These crises starkly contrast with the massive amounts of money poured into organizing international sporting events.

This contradiction raises a central political question:
Is the priority given to international image coming at the expense of the population’s basic needs?

Deepening Regional Tensions

These symbolic and media messages contribute to worsening Algerian–Moroccan tensions. The decisions taken by Algeria in recent years — severing diplomatic relations, closing its airspace, imposing visas — occurred in a context marked by a series of provocations that have added further layers of blockage to bilateral relations.

Sports and Politics: A Risky Combination

Turning a continental championship into a political platform is a move that may eventually backfire. Media narratives cannot indefinitely conceal social crises, public discontent, or the structural deficiencies exposed by recent events.

Propaganda cannot substitute for good governance; in the long run, it may only deepen isolation and erode public trust.

By Belgacem Merbah


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