Politique

Algeria’s escalating anti-Morocco policy: a calculated political weapon

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A fierce competition of denigration and escalating invective appears to have been unleashed from within the Algerian corridors of power, driven by a singular obsession: Morocco. Some discerning Algerian voices, critical of this intensifying phenomenon, assert that this openly embraced and nurtured posture of animosity, championed by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s administration, is a relatively recent development.

During the extensive presidency of Abdelaziz Bouteflika, tensions with Morocco certainly existed, yet they never reached such an extreme level of rupture. Bouteflika’s governance demonstrated a capacity to curb excesses and, at times, to smooth over diplomatic rough edges. While Bouteflika may have harbored silent disdain, Tebboune’s animosity is vociferously proclaimed.

Conversely, others contend that this underlying hostility towards Morocco has always been present, but its current eruption into public discourse is merely amplified by the pervasive reach of social media. However, this magnifying effect overlooks a crucial parallel: the Tebboune government’s launch of AL24 News, a television channel whose editorial direction seems predominantly dedicated to extolling President Tebboune while simultaneously unleashing torrents of vitriol against Morocco.

Viewers tuning into its programs, whether live or via social platforms, cannot help but observe the disturbing level of morbid jubilation displayed by some of its ‘journalists’—more accurately described as propagandists—whenever Morocco is mentioned. Each individual strives to craft the most devastating phrase, the most impactful ‘punchline’ to tarnish the Kingdom’s image, doing so without restraint, without oversight, and with an overwhelming excess of zeal. The factual basis of these attacks matters little; the primary objective is for the insult to land effectively.

The official Algerian media’s communication regarding Morocco has descended to utterly ridiculous levels. They even go so far as to avoid uttering the Kingdom’s name in certain sports summaries, presumably to prevent ‘glorifying the country.’ This bizarre practice was first noted during the Qatar World Cup, when the Moroccan national team achieved a historic semi-final run, a feat celebrated globally—except by Algerian television. Today, the same grim scenario unfolds with the upcoming 2026 World Cup, where Morocco’s name and sporting triumphs have once again become unmentionable.

“One commentator recently spiraled into an acute delusion, claiming that Lionel Messi, who scored three goals against the Algerian national team, was manipulated by ‘the Jewish lobby‘ and that this entity was orchestrating events to punish Algeria for its ‘support for Western Sahara and the Palestinian cause.’

If shame could render one deaf, Algerian leaders would scarcely hear themselves breathe. How can such profound pettiness and blind hatred lead to banning a country’s name from broadcasts, simply to avoid acknowledging its significant athletic achievements?

These media outlets have stooped so low that they permit self-proclaimed sports commentators to make grave antisemitic accusations. Indeed, one recently asserted, in a moment of acute delusion, that Lionel Messi, after scoring three goals against the Algerian national team, was under the sway of ‘the Jewish lobby,’ which was allegedly seeking to penalize Algeria for its ‘support for Western Sahara and the Palestinian cause.’

 

These astonishingly misguided remarks, widely translated into French and English, have circulated extensively. They illuminate a particularly troubling phenomenon with potential international ramifications. The Algerian regime appears not only to be a purveyor of animosity towards its neighbors but also a promoter of state-sanctioned antisemitism, given that public television channels disseminate such extreme viewpoints. In the current global climate, such actions are perceived as exceptionally serious on the international stage.

Regrettably, an undeniable conclusion emerges. The Algerian regime seems to have dedicated a substantial portion of its power and resources to fostering a narrative built on hatred, tension, division, and rupture. This has become its guiding principle and, to a certain extent, its very method of governance. Consequently, it is hardly surprising that its relationships with its Arab, Mediterranean, and African neighbors today bear the indelible mark of this confrontational philosophy. Since Abdelmadjid Tebboune assumed power, this orientation appears to have become explicitly entrenched.

Evidently, Tebboune has unleashed a torrent of animosity within Algeria. He seems to have contributed to forging a new, neurotic national identity anchored in the logic: ‘Tell me whom you hate, and I will tell you who you are.’ This shift has also manifested in the proliferation of numerous social media influencers, widely understood to be aligned with the regime, who echo this rhetoric with barely concealed glee.

The cultivation of hatred against Morocco has transformed into a highly profitable political enterprise in Algeria. So lucrative is this ‘commerce’ that, to ascend the ranks of power or secure positions of responsibility, one need not demonstrate expertise or skill, but merely exhibit an unyielding animosity towards Morocco. This, it seems, has become the most valuable credential for rapid advancement within ruling circles. And, as observers note, examples of this phenomenon are abundant.