On September 28, 2024, Algeria reinstated visa requirements for Moroccan nationals entering the country, as reported by the state news agency APS. This decision marks a significant shift in policy, reversing the visa-free travel arrangement that had been in place for approximately two decades.
Algerian authorities justified this move by alleging that Morocco had misused the visa-free entry system. The Algerian Foreign Ministry issued a statement, claiming that Morocco had facilitated "networks of organised crime and drug and human trafficking as well as illegal immigration and acts of espionage" on a large scale. Additionally, Algeria accused Morocco of sending "Zionist" spies with Moroccan passports into Algerian territory. However, no evidence was provided to support these allegations.
This development is the latest in a series of diplomatic tensions between the two North African nations. The core of their dispute revolves around the status of Western Sahara, a territory Morocco claims as its own. Algeria, on the other hand, supports the Polisario Front, which seeks independence for the region.
The Western Sahara conflict has been ongoing since 1975, with the Polisario Front founded in 1973 to promote the region's independence. Morocco controls about 80% of the disputed territory, while the United Nations does not recognize Morocco's claims. Algeria hosts over 100,000 Sahrawi refugees in camps near Tindouf, further complicating the situation.
In 2021, Algeria severed diplomatic ties with Morocco, accusing its neighbor of "hostile acts" and supporting a separatist group in the Kabylia region. The Kabylia area is known for its distinct Berber culture and language. Following this, Algeria took several punitive measures:
- Halted the flow of a gas pipeline to Spain via Morocco
- Banned all Moroccan aircraft from crossing its airspace
- Boycotted Moroccan ports
These actions have had significant economic implications, considering that Algeria is a major natural gas exporter to Europe, and its economy heavily depends on the hydrocarbon sector.
Morocco has consistently denied the accusations, describing them as "absurd" and stating that Algeria's decision to cut ties was unjustified. Despite these tensions, Morocco has not yet commented on the latest visa requirement decision.
"Relations with Morocco had reached the point of no return."
It's worth noting that both Algeria and Morocco gained independence from France in the same decade (1950s-1960s), with Algeria achieving independence in 1962 after a bloody war. Despite their shared history of colonial struggle, the two countries have faced ongoing challenges in their bilateral relations.
The Algeria-Morocco border has been closed since 1994, further highlighting the long-standing nature of their disputes. This latest development adds another layer of complexity to the regional dynamics, potentially impacting initiatives like the Arab Maghreb Union, formed in 1989, which includes both countries but remains largely inactive due to these tensions.
As the situation continues to evolve, the international community watches closely, recognizing the potential implications for regional stability and cooperation in North Africa.