Algeria imposes visa requirement on Morocco passport holders

The Algerian government has reinstated visa requirements for all Moroccan passport holders wishing to enter the country, accusing its passport holders of criminal activity in its territory, including “Zionist espionage” and “drug and human trafficking.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Algeria has refrained from restricting the free movement of individuals since ending diplomatic relations with Morocco in 2021.

The statement claimed that Morocco has exploited the lack of visa requirements between the two countries to engage in activities that threaten Algeria’s stability and national security. These activities include organising networks for organised crime, drug and human trafficking, smuggling, illegal immigration and espionage. Furthermore, Israeli intelligence agents with Moroccan passports have been granted unrestricted access to Algeria, it added.

It further stated that these actions pose a direct threat to national security and necessitate strict monitoring of entry and residence within the country at all border points. The ministry stressed that “the Moroccan regime bears full responsibility for the current deterioration of bilateral relations due to its hostile and aggressive actions against Algeria.”

The decision was announced following a meeting of Algeria’s Supreme Security Council, which includes President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, senior military leaders and intelligence chiefs.

On 24 August 2021, Algeria formally announced that it had severed diplomatic ties with Morocco, citing what it described as its neighbour’s hostile acts just months after Rabat normalised relations with Israel.

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