ALGERIAN PATRIOTS - ENGLISH

Despite Algeria’s introduction of a visa requirement for Moroccan citizens in September of last year, estimates suggest that over one million undocumented Moroccan migrants remain in Algeria. This figure raises several critical questions: on the one hand, about the effectiveness of Algeria's migration policies, and on the other, about the security risks associated with this presence in the context of heightened tensions between the two Maghreb neighbors. A Context of Diplomatic Tensions and Cognitive Warfare Relations between Algeria and Morocco have deteriorated sharply in recent years, culminating in Algeria’s official severance of diplomatic ties with Morocco in 2021. Algeria has repeatedly accused Morocco of waging a “cognitive war” against it, through media propaganda and hostile actions, such as encouraging separatism in the Kabylie region and spearheading destabilization campaigns. Adding to this tense climate, French journalist Georges Malbrunot recently revealed allegation...

France's recent stance on the Western Sahara issue has ignited a political storm in the already fragile relations between Algiers and Paris. During a contentious address at the French National Assembly, Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot defended the decision to recognize Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, while dismissing Algeria's reaction to this policy shift as "completely unjustified." According to him, Algeria is not directly concerned with the Western Sahara issue, and this French policy change has no impact on Algeria's interests. This statement, both irresponsible and factually incorrect, blatantly disregards the geopolitical and historical realities of the region. Rather than easing tensions, this unilateral move has deepened the divide between the two nations, further straining a relationship fraught with complex historical, strategic, and security-related stakes. A Shift Seen as a Provocation by Algeria For Algeria, the issue of Western Sahara is...

Morocco relies on spectacular announcements, showcasing grand ambitions that are often devoid of realism and funding, thus revealing a motivation that is more political than economic. In contrast, Algeria, driven by its pan-African vision, stands out through concrete and impactful achievements, built on its national resources and universally recognized expertise. Neither Africans nor the international community can be deceived: these initiatives, which resemble diversionary tactics, share a common denominator. They aim to fabricate a false legitimacy for the illegal colonization of Western Sahara under the pretext of African solidarity. In the long run, African nations will be able to distinguish sincere commitments from hollow promises. True to its principles of integration and regional development, Algeria continues to strengthen its position as a major and indispensable player in Africa's progress. The Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline: A Distant Dream? The Nigeria-Morocco gas pipe...

The Moroccan Autonomy Plan for Western Sahara, proposed in 2007, is built on a legally contentious premise: it assumes that Morocco holds sovereignty over the territory. However, Western Sahara has been listed as a non-self-governing territory by the United Nations since 1963, and Morocco is not recognized as its administering power under international law. In the absence of recognized sovereignty, any initiative framed within Morocco’s constitutional framework lacks legal foundation. This fundamental contradiction undermines the plan’s credibility and raises critical questions about its legitimacy. 1. The Autonomy Plan and International Legality 1.1. Western Sahara: A non-self-governing territory Western Sahara has been classified as a non-self-governing territory by the United Nations since 1963. Article 73 of the UN Charter affirms the inalienable right of the peoples of such territories to self-determination, including the options of independence, integration with another state, or...

Since its introduction in 2007, with support from France, Morocco's proposed autonomy plan for Western Sahara has faced significant criticism, raising serious questions about its credibility and true intentions. This plan, condensed into just three and a half pages, appears more like a propaganda tool than a serious proposal to resolve such a complex conflict. A Proposal Lacking Credibility One of the main criticisms of this plan is its lack of depth. How can a conflict of this magnitude be addressed with such a superficial proposal? Moreover, this plan was never presented to the Polisario Front, the legitimate representative of the Sahrawi people, as recognized by the United Nations in numerous resolutions (notably Resolutions 34/37 of 1979 and 35/19 of 1980). This refusal to engage in direct dialogue reflects blatant disregard for the Sahrawis and their inalienable right to self-determination. A Legal Contradiction: How Can Morocco Offer Autonomy? A fundamental issue often overlo...

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. ...

This article examines the prospects of a Trump administration toward Algeria, focusing on the role of American economic interests and recommendations from influential U.S. think tanks advocating for a strategic rapprochement with Algeria. In a context of heightened geopolitical competition, several American research institutions are encouraging strengthened ties with Algeria to curb Russian influence in North Africa. This article explores the economic, political, and strategic implications of such a potential rapprochement and its impact on U.S. foreign policy. Algeria occupies a strategic position in North Africa, thanks to its abundant natural resources and historical ties with several world powers, including Russia. These relations have sparked the interest of American think tanks, which recommend a more active engagement policy toward Algeria to limit Russian influence in the region. This article examines the implications of these recommendations and analyzes how a Trump administra...

This article examines the frequent use of derision in the Moroccan press when covering serious political events, such as Algeria’s recent military parade on November 1, 2024, and the decision to impose visas on Moroccan nationals. Taking a psychoanalytic perspective, it explores how and why this defense mechanism is activated in Moroccan media and the symbolic rivalry it reflects. The study aims to shed light on the psychological implications and unconscious motivations behind this discourse, seeking to understand how derision reveals underlying tensions in Moroccan-Algerian relations. Relations between Morocco and Algeria have historically been marked by rivalry—political, ideological, and territorial—heightened by ongoing conflicts over sovereignty, borders, and regional influence. Within this context, the Moroccan press often takes a sarcastic, mocking tone in its coverage of Algerian political actions and decisions. This recourse to derision in the face of significant events, like ...

The conflict in Western Sahara, which has opposed Morocco and the Polisario Front, backed by Algeria, since 1975, remains one of the longest unresolved territorial disputes. Faced with diplomatic deadlock, the UN special envoy, Staffan de Mistura, reportedly suggested partition as a potential solution. This controversial proposal highlights the ongoing challenges in reaching a compromise acceptable to all parties involved. Historical Context and Diplomatic Deadlock Western Sahara has been claimed by Morocco since 1975, after the withdrawal of Spanish colonial forces. Morocco proposes an autonomy plan under its sovereignty, supported by France, while the Polisario Front advocates for a referendum on self-determination, including the option of independence. UN resolutions and international mediation have failed to find a consensual resolution to the conflict, plunging the region into a decades-long stalemate. Previous mediation attempts, including Morocco’s 2007 autonomy plan, have not b...

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...