Twelve dead in Algeria as images of Cheb Khaled celebrating in Rabat spark outrage

The raï king’s concert at the Rab’Africa festival has become the target of a flood of comments. Algerian internet users reproach him for sharing photos and videos of his evening in Rabat while emergency services were battling deadly fires in several regions of the country.

Some comments have gone so far as to disown the singer and question his patriotism. His closeness to Morocco and his decision to perform there are once again being held against him.

Algeria had just lost at least 12 people in fires that struck several wilayas in the center and east. Firefighting operations and precautionary evacuations were still continuing near populated areas.

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune declared three days of national mourning beginning Thursday, August 27. It was in this context that images of Cheb Khaled’s Moroccan concert were massively reshared and attacked.

On Bladi.net : During a Concert in Rabat, Cheb Khaled Sends a Message to Mohammed VI

In Rabat, the artist had used his appearance on stage to send his wishes to Mohammed VI on the occasion of Youth Day. He wished the Moroccan sovereign health, well-being and a long life, to applause from the audience.

Every appearance in Morocco reignites the anger

The fires have given the current campaign a particularly brutal dimension, but the anger against Cheb Khaled did not begin with this tragedy. Since obtaining Moroccan nationality in 2013, each of his major appearances in the Kingdom has reignited the same accusations in Algeria.

In 2024, his presence alongside Mohammed VI during the Throne Day celebrations had already provoked fierce reactions. Internet users had then called for him to be banned from entering Algeria and for his songs to disappear from the public media.

On Bladi.net : Algerian Raï Star Cheb Khaled to Perform in Morocco Amid Homeland Boycott

The scenario was repeated once again in January 2026. His concert in Casablanca after Algeria’s elimination from the CAN triggered a new wave of insults and accusations of betrayal.

This time, the mourning caused by the fires turned a recurring controversy into an outpouring. For some of his Algerian detractors, it is no longer only Cheb Khaled’s ties with Morocco that are problematic, but the contrast between the images of celebration in Rabat and the tragedy experienced in their country.