US working on peace deal between Morocco and Algeria

The United States’ presidential advisor, Steve Witkoff, announced on October 20th that the Trump administration is working on a peace deal between Morocco and Algeria, according to a report by the Moroccan government-friendly North Africa Post, plus agencies.

Speaking on CBS’s “60 Minutes Overtime” program, Witkoff, who is the US envoy for the Middle East, said that his “team is working on a peace agreement between Morocco and Algeria at the moment.” He added: “There will be a peace agreement, in my opinion, within 60 days.”

Rising tensions between Morocco and Algeria over the sovereignty of Western Sahara have prompted Algeria to increase its defence budget to $25 billion, just under 20% of its expenses, for 2026. This is up from 2023, when Algeria allocated a defence budget of $18 billion.

The regional tensions have also led Morocco to seek military cooperation with the US, including participation in a joint military exercise as part of the annual “African Lion” training programme. “African Lion” focuses on skills related to naval tactics, air defence, maritime rescue operations, and live ammunition firing.

The US approved the $524.2 million sale of 18 HIMARS and other equipment to Morocco on April 11th, 2023. The State Department also authorised the sale, reportedly worth $260 million, of Javelin anti-tank missiles on March 19th, 2024, in response to Algeria’s record military spending and signing of arms deals with Russia and China.

Morocco had also raised its defence budget in response to tensions with Algeria; the figure for the 2025 fiscal year was $13 billion. This represents an increase from $12 billion in 2024.

On June 20th, Morocco reportedly sought to reach a deal with US defence contractor Lockheed Martin to acquire state-of-the-art F-35 fighter jets, making it the first Arab and African country to acquire the jets, as US policy has historically restricted the sale of fifth-generation jets in the Middle East to Israel.

The weapons deals between Morocco and the US have raised concerns about an escalation of tensions in the Maghreb region, as Rabat backs Moroccan sovereignty over the Western Sahara, while Algeria supports Sahrawi independence. The US also pledged on June 3rd to provide Morocco with technical assistance, training programmes and logistical support.

Algeria backs the Polisario Front, an organisation that the US has sought, in support of Morocco, to designate as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation. The group’s aim is to prevent Morocco from gaining sovereignty over Western Sahara, referring to Morocco as an “occupier” of the disputed territory.

North Africa Post plus agencies, Maghrebi.org