Expropriated property by Morocco: Algeria lied.... the proof

There is no "project to confiscate the premises of the Embassy of the Algerian State in Morocco", no "unqualifiable violation" as claimed by the Algerian ministry in a recent statement. Official Algerian documents prove that Algiers and Rabat had engaged in talks for the expropriation of an unused premises, immediately adjacent to the headquarters of the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Algerian authorities, in a correspondence dated May 22, 2022 and bearing the stamp and signature of the Algerian Consulate General in Casablanca, announced that they were proceeding with the valuation of the property, in order to make a purchase price offer. They also undertook to vacate the premises and move its contents as soon as the sale was concluded. This correspondence follows the wish expressed by Morocco in January 2022 to acquire the Algerian property amicably.

Thus, the Algerian Consul General in Casablanca was received at the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs "no less than four times," a diplomatic official source told Barlamane. "In addition, eight official letters were sent to the Algerian authorities, who responded with no less than five official letters. [...] in two of their letters, the Algerian authorities responded to the Moroccan offer by indicating that a ’property valuation of these assets is underway and that it will communicate its conclusions as soon as it is finalized’," he adds. Algeria is not the only country affected by the operation to expand the premises of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Residing Abroad. This operation "has concerned, in recent years, several diplomatic buildings, including those of Côte d’Ivoire and Switzerland," it is specified.

For its part, Algeria had, on March 14, 2022, informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Residing Abroad of its decision to expropriate the residence of the Moroccan Ambassador in Algiers for reasons of public utility, the residence being located near the People’s Palace, "a classified historic monument" located in an area to be developed.