Algeria cuts diplomatic ties with Morocco

  • 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.