What's behind the Algeria-Morocco rivalry?
Morocco and Algeria have been at odds for decades, chiefly over the disputed Western Sahara region. But their rivalry now extends far beyond the territory.
The rivalry between Algeria and Morocco has its roots in the ongoing dispute over Western Sahara, a territory Morocco claims as part of its national territory. The conflict began with Spain's withdrawal from the region in 1975, and despite a UN-brokered ceasefire in 1991, a planned referendum to determine the future of Saharawi people has yet to materialize.
Algeria supports Western Sahara's independence and backs the Polisario Front, while Morocco considers the region an integral part of its own national territory and seeks international recognition for its semi-autonomous governance. The European Court of Justice ruled in 2024 that Morocco and Western Sahara are separate territories, intensifying the rivalry between the two North African nations.
This conflict has become a symbol of a deeper rivalry over influence in the Maghreb region, affecting both countries' domestic politics. The Western Sahara issue is seen as a matter of territorial integrity by Morocco, while Algeria advocates for self-determination, reflecting each nation's stance as an anti-colonial state. The rivalry has impeded North Africa's economic integration for decades, with regional institutions such as the Arab Maghreb Union remaining largely inactive.
The relationship between Algeria and Morocco has deepened into a broader competition for international partners and political influence, with both nations seeking to enhance their strategic importance to the European Union. Morocco focuses on areas like migration, counterterrorism, and economic cooperation, while Algeria emphasizes its role as an energy supplier and security influence in the Maghreb and Sahel region.
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