Moroccan Workers in Algeria Fear Arrest Amid Sabotage Allegations
Based in Kabylie, Abdelhamid, a Moroccan mason in his forties, earns enough to support his family back in Morocco. But the recent arrests of fellow Moroccans accused of sabotage have left him worried. He now fears he could be mistaken for a suspect himself.
Abdelhamid has not returned to Morocco in seven years. In Algeria, he works in construction, where his skills are valued, and regularly sends money to his family. “I’m doing well here; I earn a very good living,” he told La Croix, in a report published this Tuesday, November 3.
On Bladi.net : Algeria Says It Foiled Sabotage Plot, Arrested 61 Moroccans
His peace of mind has now been shaken by accusations against several Moroccan nationals. “But now I’m really afraid of being mistaken for someone else,” the mason says. He fears he may never see his family again.
In early October, Algerian authorities announced the arrest of 61 Moroccans who had entered the country illegally from Tunisia. They suspect them of planning acts of sabotage. In July, four other Moroccan nationals were arrested near Tizi Ouzou, along with two Algerians, over alleged ties to the Movement for the Self-Determination of Kabylie (MAK), which Algiers classifies as a terrorist group.
Moroccans who prefer to keep a low profile
According to the French newspaper’s report, some Moroccans living in Algeria use pseudonyms on social media to avoid attracting attention. Others say they are finding it difficult to marry an Algerian partner amid tensions between the two countries.
Family visits have also become more complicated for some travelers. In early October, several Moroccans reported to Bladi.net that they had been turned away upon arrival in Algeria despite having a family visa.
In October 2024, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune had nevertheless assured that Moroccans living in Algeria were not being targeted, saying he made no distinction between the two peoples.
Money transfers to Morocco are also a source of concern. According to local sources cited by La Croix, some Moroccan workers ask young Algerians to send their savings to their families. In the case involving people accused of ties to the MAK, Algerian authorities are now presenting this kind of arrangement as a possible way to fund the movement.
