Algerian authorities have recently reintroduced visa requirements for Moroccan nationals, marking the end of a 20-year period of visa-free entry between the two countries. This decision comes amidst escalating tensions between Algeria and Morocco, with the Western Sahara conflict serving as a key point of contention.
Algeria accuses Morocco of abusing the visa-free entry policy to facilitate criminal activities such as organized crime, drug and human trafficking, illegal immigration, and espionage. Additionally, Algeria claims that Morocco has been sending spies with Moroccan passports into Algerian territory.
These accusations have led to a series of retaliatory actions, including Algeria cutting diplomatic ties with Morocco in 2021 and implementing measures such as halting gas pipeline flow to Spain via Morocco, banning Moroccan aircraft from its airspace, and boycotting Moroccan ports. Morocco has vehemently denied these allegations and criticized Algeria’s actions as baseless and unjustified.
The strained relations between the two countries have reached a critical point, with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune stating in 2023 that ties with Morocco have reached “the point of no return”.
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