Former Moroccan PM Claims Algeria Annexed Historic Moroccan Territories

During a meeting of his party, he claimed that France had proposed to Morocco, after its independence, to recover territories in the east of the country, annexed to Algeria during colonization.

According to Benkirane, these areas, including Tindouf, Touat and Hassi Beïda, were historically Moroccan and populated by Moroccans. He argued that Algeria had refused to return them despite a pre-existing agreement, thus complicating relations between the two countries.

The former head of government recalled that King Hassan II had ultimately renounced these lands in favor of Algeria. However, this decision would not have been ratified by parliament, leaving doubt about the legal validity of this cession and fueling tensions between the two nations.

Benkirane took the opportunity to harshly criticize Moroccans using the slogan "Taza before Gaza," accusing them of betraying national and religious causes. He even called for these individuals to be prosecuted in court for their remarks.