Algeria-Morocco: Transit ban opens new front in hostilities
Algeria’s Professional Association of Banks and Financial Institutions (ABEF) banned all transshipment and transit operations via Morocco in a document signed on January 10th, according to The Arab Weekly and agencies.
ABEF stated that it refuses any “domiciliation operation for transport contracts that involve transshipment/transit through Moroccan ports.” The decision is likely to burden major international cargo carriers, particularly those transporting goods from South America to Algeria. “Transshipment” refers to the unloading and loading of cargo from ship to ship, for which ports receive a nominal fee.
This development in economic hostilities comes as Algeria intensifies its campaign against Moroccan influence in Western Sahara.
Morocco has long claimed the resource-rich former Spanish colony as its own, making international recognition a diplomatic priority. Algeria continues to undermine Morocco in the region, supporting the separatist Polisario Front movement which has fought for control of what it calls the Sahrawi Arab Republic since the 1970s.
Tensions between the North African countries have been particularly high in recent years.
On August 24th 2021, Algeria closed its airspace with Morocco after blaming its administration for wildfires that hit several Algerian provinces. Rabat however claimed the allegations were unfounded.
The Morocco-Algeria land border has been closed since 1994.
READ: Forbes enflames situation between Morocco and Algeria
In May 2021, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune ordered the “immediate termination” of contracts with Moroccan companies and instructed the ministry of finance to stop dividend transfer operations linked to Morocco. Tebboune then invited Algerian companies to demonstrate “responsibility and circumspection in their relations with foreign partners, ensuring in all circumstances the preservation of the superior interests of the State.”
Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has made several appeals for dialogue with Algiers in recent years. In a July 29th televised speech, the king emphasised Morocco’s commitment to end the diplomatic crisis between the countries.
READ: Moroccan king holds out olive branch to Algeria
Algeria’s foreign minister appeared on Al Jazeera’s Atheer platform on December 21st stating his country’s intention to end tensions with Morocco.
Arab Weekly / Agencies
