Expulsion of Moroccans from Algeria explained

Partof:the Western Sahara War
Date:18 December 1975
Type:mass deportation
Organizers:Government of Algeria
Outcome:45,000 Moroccan families expelled

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] 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.[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.

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

See also

References

  1. Web site: Morocco and Algeria: A rivalry stretching back decades - Qantara.de . 2022-09-27 . Qantara.de - Dialogue with the Islamic World . en.
  2. Web site: Moroccans in Algeria fear for the future after diplomatic ties severed. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210829170606/https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/morocco-algeria-diplomacy-severed-ties-fear-future. 29 August 2021. 19 September 2021. Middle East Eye. en.
  3. Web site: 23 July 2014. Morocco calls on Algeria to address conditions of displaced Moroccans. 18 November 2021. Middle East Monitor. en-GB.
  4. Book: Weissman, Juliana . Kingdom of Morocco . U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Public Health Service, Office of International Health, Division of Program Analysis . 1977 . 125 . English.
  5. Book: Quarterly Economic Review of Algeria . Economist Intelligence Unit Limited . 1976 . 2 . English.
  6. Book: MEED Arab Report . Middle East Economic Digest Limited . 1976 . 2 . English.
  7. Web site: Morocco and Algeria: A Long Rivalry . 2022-09-27 . Carnegie Endowment for International Peace . en.
  8. Web site: Moroccans expelled from Algeria in 1975 still an open wound – General news – ANSAMed.it. 19 September 2021. www.ansamed.info. 2 February 2015 . 1 March 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210301231721/http://www.ansamed.info/ansamed/en/news/sections/generalnews/2015/02/02/moroccans-expelled-from-algeria-in-1975-still-an-open-wound_cd3df32d-bcf4-4d27-98b1-644a8a66da27.html. live.
  9. Web site: Mebtoul. Taha. CIEMA Appeals for Algeria to Recognize 1975 Expulsion of Moroccans. 18 November 2021. Morocco World News. en.
  10. Web site: AMVEAA report on the issue of the rights of Moroccan families expelled from Algeria in 1975 . 18 November 2021 . 13 December 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211213204224/https://tbinternet.ohchr.org/Treaties/CCPR/Shared%20Documents/DZA/INT_CCPR_CSS_DZA_31388_E.pdf . dead .
  11. Web site: Moroccan Victims of Expulsion from Algeria Bring Case to the UN Human Rights Council. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210405145319/https://northafricapost.com/14122-moroccan-victims-expulsion-algeria-bring-case-un-human-rights-council.html. 5 April 2021. 19 September 2021. The North Africa Post.
  12. Web site: International. Forecast. 2 November 2021. Algeria and Morocco's Deteriorating Relations: A Brief History and Analysis of Modern Ties. 18 November 2021. Defense Security Monitor. en-US.
  13. Web site: Moroccan farmers' protests highlight the human toll of border dispute. 18 November 2021. Middle East Eye. en.
  14. Web site: Staff Writer. Moroccans Expelled from Algeria, a Bitter Memory That Still Haunts Us. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20201027103655/https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2012/04/33806/moroccans-expelled-from-algeria-a-bitter-memory-that-still-haunts-us-5/. 27 October 2020. 19 September 2021. Morocco World News. en.
  15. Web site: Morocco-Algeria tensions tearing border families apart. 18 November 2021. La Prensa Latina. en-US.
  16. Web site: Kasraoui. Safaa. Video Shows Testimonies of Moroccans Expelled from Algeria in 1975. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210304130209/https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2019/12/289792/testimonies-moroccans-algeria/. 4 March 2021. 19 September 2021. Morocco World News. en.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Expulsion of Moroccans from Algeria".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.