Expulsion of Moroccans from Algeria

On 18 December 1975, the first day of Eid al-Adha, the Algerian president Houari Boumediene ordered the expulsion of all Moroccan nationals from Algeria, resulting in the exodus of 45,000 Moroccan families,^[1] or by some accounts 350,000 people in total.^[2][3] Although, according to some modern sources, between 10,000 ^[4] to 30,000 were expelled and 5,000 Moroccans were granted Algerian nationality.^[5][6] The expulsion was a response to the Madrid Accords (which did not include the consultation of Algeria nor the POLISARIO movement)^[7] and the earlier Green March in the Western Sahara.^[8][9]

In this image, Algeria is shown in Green, while Morocco is coloured Orange.

Expulsion of Moroccans from Algeria

Part of the Western Sahara War
Map showing locations of Algeria and Morocco.
Date	18 December 1975 (49 years ago)
Type	mass deportation
Organized by	Government of Algeria
Outcome	45,000 Moroccan families expelled

The exodus, code-named by the Algerian government as the "Black March", was carried out by Abdelaziz Bouteflika, then the foreign minister of Algeria at the time.^[10]

45,000 families were estimated to have been expelled; a large portion of them had lived in Algeria for decades or even centuries.^[11][12][13] Most Moroccans had lived wealthy lifestyles and were in good conditions prior to the expulsion.^[14] Many families were separated; Moroccans who had married Algerians were not deported but their family members usually were. Many Moroccans have not yet been reunited with their families.^[14][15]

Commemoration

In 2019, the Moroccan military posted a video on Facebook depicting the testimonies of Moroccan refugees, calling for an apology from Algeria. The video was also a response to the Algerian Government's demands for Morocco to apologize for Algerians it left stranded after a 1994 terrorist attack in Asni, Marrakesh.^[16]

The Moroccan Organization for Human Rights (ODHM) has also called for the United Nations to investigate the expulsion.^[14]

In July 2014, the Moroccan Foreign Ministry brought the topic up again, urging Algeria to conduct a re-examination of the exodus.

See also

• Human rights in Algeria

References

1. "Morocco and Algeria: A rivalry stretching back decades - Qantara.de". Qantara.de - Dialogue with the Islamic World. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
2. "Moroccans in Algeria fear for the future after diplomatic ties severed". Middle East Eye. Archived from the original on 29 August 2021. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
3. "Morocco calls on Algeria to address conditions of displaced Moroccans". Middle East Monitor. 23 July 2014. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
4. Weissman, Juliana (1977). Kingdom of Morocco. U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Public Health Service, Office of International Health, Division of Program Analysis. p. 125.
5. Quarterly Economic Review of Algeria. Economist Intelligence Unit Limited. 1976. p. 2.
6. MEED Arab Report. Middle East Economic Digest Limited. 1976. p. 2.
7. "Morocco and Algeria: A Long Rivalry". Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
8. "Moroccans expelled from Algeria in 1975 still an open wound – General news – ANSAMed.it". www.ansamed.info. 2 February 2015. Archived from the original on 1 March 2021. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
9. Mebtoul, Taha. "CIEMA Appeals for Algeria to Recognize 1975 Expulsion of Moroccans". Morocco World News. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
10. "AMVEAA report on the issue of the rights of Moroccan families expelled from Algeria in 1975" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 December 2021. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
11. "Moroccan Victims of Expulsion from Algeria Bring Case to the UN Human Rights Council". The North Africa Post. Archived from the original on 5 April 2021. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
12. International, Forecast (2 November 2021). "Algeria and Morocco's Deteriorating Relations: A Brief History and Analysis of Modern Ties". Defense Security Monitor. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
13. "Moroccan farmers' protests highlight the human toll of border dispute". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
14. Staff Writer. "Moroccans Expelled from Algeria, a Bitter Memory That Still Haunts Us". Morocco World News. Archived from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
15. "Morocco-Algeria tensions tearing border families apart". La Prensa Latina. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
16. Kasraoui, Safaa. "Video Shows Testimonies of Moroccans Expelled from Algeria in 1975". Morocco World News. Archived from the original on 4 March 2021. Retrieved 19 September 2021.