Tensions Escalate in North Africa: Morocco-Algeria Conflict Over Western Sahara Intensifies

First, the Sahara issue. This is one of the subjects that constantly generates tensions between Morocco and Algeria, writes the newspaper El Watan. On the one hand, the kingdom defending the Sahara as an integral part of its territory. On the other hand, Algeria which does not recognize the Moroccanness of the Sahara and supports the Polisario Front. Another striking fact: since 1994 to date, the borders between the two countries have remained closed. However, the two peoples have risen above the political quarrels of their leaders and maintain good relations.

Between Algeria and Tunisia, it is not perfect love. And for good reason, the deployment of American troops in Tunisia as part of Africom. Algiers would take a dim view of this deployment of troops, insofar as it directly concerns the ongoing fratricidal war in Libya with the involvement of the great powers of this world. From concordant sources, the Tunisian authorities have not informed Algeria that they have given the United States a free hand for this deployment of foreign forces on its soil, the newspaper indicates. This would be the second time that Tunis has committed such a blunder. The country would have authorized the overflying of its territory by US Air Force drones, without previously informing its partner Algiers.

These are among the subjects that divide the Maghreb countries at a time when a lasting solution must be found to resolve the Libyan conflict that has lasted too long, and which would have serious consequences for all of North Africa.