The recent migration crisis in the occupied city of Ceuta has brought to light Algeria's complex relationship with Morocco, reflecting a narrative in Algerian media that appears to favor the Spanish position. This situation recalls Algeria's similar stance during past crises involving Morocco and Spain, such as the 2002 crisis over Leila Island. Despite the differing contexts of these events, the focus of Algerian media on blaming Morocco for escalating tensions with Spain, while emphasizing the Spanish identity of Ceuta and Melilla, raises important questions about the motivations behind Algeria's position towards Rabat.
The Doctrine of Hostility: Algeria's Divergence from Arab Consensus During the Leila Island Crisis
In July 2002, a severe diplomatic crisis erupted between Morocco and Spain concerning Leila Island, following a deployment of Moroccan troops to the island off the Moroccan coast. Spain responded militarily, making this conflict one of the most significant confrontations between Rabat and Madrid, amid strong support from Arab and Islamic nations for Morocco's claim to the island. Unlike the unanimous Arab and Islamic backing for Morocco during this crisis, Algeria's response was notably tepid, lacking any supportive statement for Morocco and instead advocating for a return to "international legitimacy."
According to a report published by the French newspaper 'Le Monde' on July 19, 2002, Morocco could rely on "Arab support" abroad during this crisis, except from Algeria, which maintained a "very cold" relationship with Morocco. The report highlighted that most other Muslim countries supported Morocco's claims, with the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation calling for Spain to end its occupation of what was termed a "Moroccan island." In stark contrast, Algeria expressed a position that diverged from other Arab nations, reflecting its own unique stance.
Fast forward more than two decades, and we see echoes of this historic position in the Algerian media coverage of the recent migration crisis in Ceuta. Algerian outlets have propagated a narrative accusing Morocco of leveraging migration as a tool to exert pressure on Spain and the European Union, reiterating that Ceuta and Melilla are "Spanish territories." Many analysts of Moroccan-Algerian relations argue that Algeria's divergent positions on issues concerning Morocco and its occupied territories merely underscore a deep-seated doctrine of hostility toward Morocco, one that supersedes any other consideration or principle within the Algerian military regime.
Fear of Moroccan Expansion: The Underlying Security Concerns
However, the Algerian rift with Morocco cannot solely be interpreted through the lens of hostility. A U.S. document from 1975 reveals Algeria's deep-rooted security and strategic concerns regarding what it perceived as "Moroccan expansionist ambitions." This document, issued by the U.S. State Department, provided a detailed account of Algeria's position on the future of Western Sahara at a time when Spain was preparing to end its colonial presence in the region.
The document indicates that while Algeria had no territorial claims in the Sahara and supported the decolonization of the region, it nevertheless considered itself a stakeholder with political and security interests in the matter. Algeria viewed its neighbors, particularly Morocco, as potential adversaries, linking this perception to memories of the 1963 border conflict and Morocco's previous claims to Algerian territory.
Furthermore, the document underscores Algeria's reluctance to witness an expansion of Moroccan sovereignty in the Sahara, highlighting its fears regarding the regional balance of power. It concluded that Algeria would work through all possible diplomatic means to obstruct any bilateral agreements between Spain and Morocco that might grant Rabat sovereignty over the Sahara. Thus, Algeria's historical position towards Morocco has been shaped by two intertwined levels: a political animosity that drives Algeria to oppose Rabat's initiatives in regional matters, and a strategic apprehension that Morocco's successes in reclaiming or expanding its regional influence could disrupt the balance of power in favor of Morocco.
As reported by assahifa.com.
