Algeria accuses Morocco of plotting to harm the country's stability

Tension has resurfaced between Algeria and Morocco on the eve of US Secretary of State John Kerry’s visit to the region, after an Algerian security report was leaked warning of a “foreign plot” aimed at creating chaos in Algeria.

Algeria’s Al-Shorouq newspaper published the report, which was described as highly classified and claimed that nearly 56 Moroccans were recruited to create chaos across the Algerian provinces, allegedly entering the country individually and not as a group.

According to the report, the Algerian security services raised the level of caution and preparedness in various provinces and sent orders and instructions to the border police to raise the degree of vigilance along the country’s crossings.

The Algerian security services, led by the Directorate General of National Security, also issued orders to officials and security agents about how to deal with street protests and sit-ins, especially as campaigns for the presidential election are a favourable ground for many trade unions and organisations to make their demands.

The upcoming elections in Algeria have already sparked internal controversy after President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, the 76 year old autocrat who has been ruling the country for 15 years, announced his candidacy despite suffering from a debilitating stroke last year.

The security report revealed as well that the Ministry of Interior and local authorities issued orders to the governors, and through them to the mayors, asking them to report on a regular basis on any protest, demonstration or sit-in that may harm the country’s stability.