In an exclusive interview with the French daily L’Opinion on Monday, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune did not hold back in his criticism of France and Morocco, confirming the deterioration of diplomatic relations between Algiers and Paris.
Abdelmadjid Tebboune © Mena Today
In an exclusive interview with the French daily L’Opinion on Monday, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune did not hold back in his criticism of France and Morocco, confirming the deterioration of diplomatic relations between Algiers and Paris.
Tensions between Algeria and France have reached a critical point, particularly after France’s recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara. This issue, highly sensitive for Algeria, has become a turning point in their strained relations.
In the interview, the Algerian president strongly criticized Morocco, accusing it of having expansionist ambitions and threatening Algeria’s territorial integrity.
“Morocco has always had expansionist ambitions,” Abdelmadjid Tebboune stated, further denouncing collusion between Rabat and Israel.
Algeria, which firmly supports the Sahrawi cause, views France’s recognition as a betrayal and a clear alignment with Morocco’s stance, further aggravating regional tensions.
For months, relations between Algeria and France have been fragile, strained by historical disputes, migration issues, and geopolitical conflicts. The Western Sahara dispute, combined with colonial-era grievances, has exacerbated long-standing diplomatic frictions.
With these strong statements, Algeria is sending a clear message about its uncompromising stance on the Sahrawi issue and Morocco’s alliances, further escalating diplomatic tensions in North Africa.
By Bruno Finel
Migrants who swam or jumped over fences to rush into Spain's African enclave of Ceuta this week were returning home on Saturday, with many saying hunger, exhaustion and hostility from locals had crushed their hopes of a new life in Europe.
Spain said on Friday it had reversed a huge rush of migrants into a Spanish enclave in North Africa, with most of the more than 50,000 people who had crossed the border by land and sea already heading back voluntarily.
As 16-year-old Moroccan Ayoub El Abyad scrolled through Instagram videos showing migrants crossing into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, he and his cousin, then still a 12-hour drive from the border, decided to try their luck.
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