Moroccan Diplomatic Expulsion Reveals Algeria’s Discontent with Rabat’s Successes

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Algeria’s demand for the departure of Moroccan Vice Consul in Oran, Mohamed Sifani, within 48 hours, without providing any reasons, reflects the failure of the Algerian government in gaining support for its positions on the international stage regarding the issue of the Moroccan Sahara.

Algeria declared the Moroccan Vice Consul in Oran, Mohamed Sifani, as “persona non grata” and gave him 48 hours to leave the country. This harsh step reflects growing dissatisfaction over what observers see as Morocco’s diplomatic successes in the Sahara issue, particularly with the widespread recognition of the autonomy initiative proposed by Rabat, along with Morocco’s ability to strengthen its international relations, in contrast to the increasing isolation of its eastern neighbor.

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While Morocco continues to strengthen its ties with many countries in the region, Algeria is showing signs of increasing isolation, especially after its continuous support for the Polisario Front in the artificial Sahara conflict, which negatively impacts its regional and international standing.

Algeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that “the interim chargé d’affaires at the Kingdom of Morocco’s Consulate General in Algiers, Khaled Chehane, was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he was received by the Director General of Ceremonies, Mokhtar Amine Khalif.”

It added that Khalif informed Chehane that “the Moroccan Vice Consul in Oran, Mohamed Sifani, is a person undesired and must leave the national territory within a maximum of 48 hours.”

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The Algerian Foreign Ministry emphasized that the reasons for this decision against Sifani are related to “suspicious actions that are incompatible with the nature of his duties” at the Moroccan consulate in Oran, “which constitutes a violation of the relevant Algerian laws in this field and international laws and conventions, especially the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.”

The statement did not specify the nature of these actions, but Algeria often justifies its escalating stance with such vague claims lacking clear evidence, as was the case with its unfounded justifications for severing ties with Rabat in 2021, when it spoke of “hostile actions” by Moroccan authorities without clarification.

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By escalating against Morocco, Algeria seeks to show its firm stance in the face of what it considers a “threat” to its traditional position on the Sahara issue, but this stance comes at a time that reflects the failure of the Algerian government to gain broad international support for its cause, especially after the growing international recognition of the Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara.

In recent years, the issue has shifted in Morocco’s favor, with Morocco securing increasing international support for its autonomy initiative in the Sahara under its sovereignty, including from major countries like the United States, France, and Spain.

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These international recognitions, which align with Morocco’s position in favor of a peaceful solution, have unsettled Algeria, which views this as a reduction of its role in the conflict and a threat to its strategy, which has always relied on supporting the Polisario Front. Therefore, the expulsion of the Moroccan vice consul by the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs seems to be a knee-jerk reaction to what Algeria perceives as a threat to its regional and diplomatic interests, according to observers.

Conversely, this crisis highlights the confusion in Algeria’s policies, which face increasing challenges on both the regional and international fronts. Algeria, once influential in the region’s political and diplomatic scene, now finds itself increasingly isolated. Relations with neighbors such as Morocco and Mali have deteriorated, and tensions with major countries like France and Spain have become more complex. Spain supported Morocco’s 2022 autonomy proposal for the Sahara, a stance that triggered a diplomatic earthquake in Algeria, which views this as a victory for Morocco and a setback for its regional position.

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Algeria also continues its conflict with France over several issues, the latest being the case of the French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal, along with other issues, which further isolates it on the international stage.

This rigid and inflexible policy adopted by Algeria in handling the Sahara dispute, especially its support for the Polisario Front, presents major challenges in gaining international backing, unlike Morocco, which has attracted widespread international support.

Despite numerous Moroccan calls for Algeria to find compromises, particularly from King Mohammed VI, who in his 2018 speech on the 44th anniversary of the Green March, called for open and clear dialogue with Algeria to overcome all disagreements, Algeria’s stance has always been one of escalation and tension.

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Algerian officials make hostile statements against Morocco, while both state-run and private media continue to launch smear campaigns against Morocco, backed by the authorities.

Algerian authorities consider supporting the Polisario as part of their foreign policy and use the dispute to bolster their regional role against Morocco. Despite this position isolating Algeria diplomatically from many major countries, the Algerian government persists in its stance, emphasizing the need to continue supporting the Polisario, revealing the confusion in its foreign policies.

In August 2021, Algeria decided to sever diplomatic ties with Morocco, a decision that came after escalating tensions between the two countries, particularly regarding the deteriorating security situation in western Algeria and unsubstantiated accusations against Morocco regarding the use of Algerian territory for hostile activities.

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This decision marked a new escalation in the already tense relations between the two countries, reflecting the challenge Algeria faces in the face of Morocco’s ongoing diplomatic success.

Ultimately, this ongoing diplomatic conflict may determine the future of relations between the two countries in the coming years, but current indicators suggest that Morocco is on track to achieve further international victories while Algeria regresses. ​

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