ALGIERS, Algeria (AFP) – In a significant diplomatic move, Algeria announced on Thursday that it will enforce visa requirements for Moroccan citizens, citing concerns over various criminal activities attributed to its neighbor, including allegations of espionage and trafficking.
The official APS news agency reported that Algeria has accused Morocco of engaging in actions that undermine the country’s stability. The statement from the Algerian government claimed that Morocco had sent “Zionist espionage agents” into Algeria, alongside accusations of organized crime involving drug and human trafficking.
This latest development comes in the context of a strained relationship between the two North African nations. Algeria severed diplomatic ties with Morocco in August 2021, primarily due to what it described as “hostile acts” from Morocco, which coincided with Rabat’s normalization of relations with Israel. Since 1994, the borders between the two countries have remained closed.
The situation escalated recently when, just ahead of Algeria’s presidential elections, authorities in Tlemcen—a city located near the Moroccan border—reported the arrest of seven individuals, including four Moroccans, who were allegedly part of a spy network.
In its statement, Algeria emphasized its commitment to maintaining a positive relationship with the Moroccan people, whom it referred to as “brotherly.” However, it laid the blame for the ongoing diplomatic tensions squarely on the Moroccan government, asserting that Morocco’s actions have led to the current deterioration of relations.
“The Moroccan regime alone bears responsibility for the current deterioration of bilateral relations due to its hostile and aggressive actions against Algeria,” the statement concluded.
