Decades-Long Sahara Dispute Fuels Morocco-Algeria Tensions, Impacts European Alliances

Algeria closed its border with Morocco in 1994, after the kingdom accused it of participating in a terrorist attack in Marrakech and imposed a visa requirement on Algerians visiting Morocco. Since then, relations between the two countries have evolved in fits and starts, with moments of relative calm and tension.

Over time, this dispute over influence in the Sahara has crossed the Mediterranean and led to the creation of alliances between the two countries and those of Southern Europe. "The two North African countries have interests in Europe that European countries can use to minimize tensions," explains Anthony Dworkin, a member of the European Council on Foreign Relations. To do this, European countries should work to find a balance between the two countries, by supporting Morocco more, while ensuring not to hinder Algeria too much.

Germany and Spain have already expressed their support for the Moroccanness of the Sahara. Spain’s change of position on this sensitive issue was not well received by Algeria, which recalled its ambassador to Madrid and suspended its treaty of friendship, good neighborliness and cooperation with Spain. For their part, Italy and France now seem closer to Algiers. Relations between France and Morocco have deteriorated sharply after the Pegasus spying affair. However, Morocco still has many means of pressure.