Algeria announced that it has severed diplomatic relations with Morocco due to “hostile actions”, following months of resurgent tensions between the North African rivals. The move culminates a period of growing tension between the North African countries, which are mired in a decades-long feud, with their borders closed to each other.
The countries have long accused one another of backing opposition movements as proxies, with Algeria’s support for separatists in the Western Sahara a particular bone of contention for Morocco.
Their rivalry took a new twist last year when the former U.S. President, Donald Trump, recognised Moroccan sovereignty over the territory — in exchange for Morocco normalising ties with Israel. Moreover, the administration of President Joe Biden has shown no sign of rolling back Trump’s decision.