BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS- The Moroccan Makhzen is a term that has come to symbolize the mastery of betrayal par excellence. Throughout its history, this governing apparatus has been marked by a legacy of deception, treachery, and a penchant for seeking outside support while disregarding the principles of good neighborliness. From centuries-old disputes with Algeria to contemporary provocations, the Makhzen’s pattern of betrayal remains a stain on its legacy.
Three Centuries Ago: Morocco’s Betrayal of Algeria During the Reign of the Sultans
Three centuries ago, in the annals of history, the Makhzen’s transgressions against Algeria were well-documented and marked by a web of deceit and treacherous maneuvers. Both Arab and Western historical accounts contain ample evidence of the Makhzen’s perfidious actions against Algeria, spanning various episodes.
The Moroccan rulers spared no effort in their pursuit of territorial expansion, extending far beyond the confines of border towns like Tlemcen. Their ambitions stretched over 500 kilometers beyond Tlemcen itself. Moroccan armies repeatedly advanced into Algerian territory, reaching as far as Djedouia near Relizane and the borders of the Chlef River. They also sought alliances with the Portuguese and the Spanish on numerous occasions, with Sultan Al-Mansur even soliciting Portuguese assistance to seize Algerian lands, offering them 12,000 soldiers in exchange for concessions.
Despite enduring these relentless assaults, the Algerians held fast to their principles of brotherhood, good neighborly relations, and respect for the sovereignty of their neighboring country. Throughout various historical phases, they skillfully fomented discord within the ruling Moroccan family, prompted by the pleas of certain Moroccan tribes that corresponded with them. Prince Abdelkader Aljazairi led these tribes, seeking to incite a rebellion against the Sultan. Despite the Moroccan Sultan’s repeated betrayals, Emir Abdelkader of Algeria refrained from heeding the calls of the aggrieved tribes, showcasing his unwavering commitment to diplomacy over retaliation.
Morocco’s Role in Emir Abdelkader Aljazairi’s Defeat
In a February 1873 article, The New York Times highlighted that Emir Abdelkader’s defeat was not attributed to the French army’s military prowess but to betrayal by Morocco’s Sultan Moulay Abdel Rahman. The Sultan formed an alliance with the French to encircle and besiege Emir Abdelkader.
Back in 1844, Sultan Abdel Rahman entered into the Tangier Treaty with France, which involved abandoning Emir Abdelkader and dispatching Moroccan forces to besiege his army while it was already under siege by the French colonial army.
The Sand War: A Dark Chapter in History Unveiled
On October 8, 1963, another unfortunate date was etched into the annals of the Makhzen’s treacherous history. This event unfolded shortly after Algeria had achieved independence, having exhausted its resources and sacrificed countless lives in its struggle for freedom. The deceptive gaze of the world was fixed on the birth of a new, independent Algerian state when, just over a year after gaining independence, the Sand War erupted. In this conflict, Algeria paid a heavy price, with 800 martyrs laying down their lives in its first battle to safeguard its territorial integrity.
The Makhzen, driven by colonial expansionist ambitions, set its sights on the Algerian territories of Tindouf and Bechar in October 1963. However, its endeavors met with resolute resistance, as the Algerian wall, fortified by the blood of its martyrs, proved unyielding, despite France’ status as Morocco’s leading arms supplier at the time.
Internal instability within the Makhzen regime compelled King Hassan II to engage in conflicts with neighboring nations in an effort to consolidate his rule. This allowed him to suppress the National Union of Popular Forces, motivated by fears of the Moroccan movement’s Nasserist leanings, its ties with Algeria, and the perceived threat it posed to the royal throne.
Morocco was grappling with deteriorating economic and social conditions, exacerbated by the outcome of the legislative elections on May 17, 1963. The opposition secured an estimated 56.5 percent majority of the total votes, underscoring the political failure of the king and the widespread rejection of his government, particularly after Moroccan opposition figure Mehdi Ben Barka denounced him from exile. Concurrently, in October 1963, Algeria found itself under attack by Morocco’s feudal monarchy, which further weakened the political parties, tempting some into acts of betrayal.
Furthermore, the “traitorous neighbor” had covertly aligned itself with the Zionists in the early 1960s. In October 1963, the Zionist entity dispatched “Mister” warplanes and French-made tanks to Morocco to confront Algerian forces, as revealed in a study entitled “Israel and Morocco” by the Zionist researcher Einat Levy, published in 2018 by the “Israeli Institute for Regional Foreign Policy”.
The fighting finally ceased on November 5, 1963, following mediation by the Arab League and the Organization of African Unity. A definitive ceasefire agreement was reached on February 20, 1964, in Bamako, Mali, under the guidance of Ethiopian leader Haile Selassie, who served as the head of the Organization of African Unity. This agreement was signed by the late President Ahmed Ben Bella and Hassan II.
Despite the end of hostilities, the Zionist Makhzen continued to sow discord in the region, particularly in response to Algeria’ stance against the occupation of Western Sahara and its unwavering support for the right to self-determination—a principle it upheld for all oppressed peoples.
The Brutal Assassination of Three Unarmed Algerians Exposes Makhzen’s Barbarism and Betrayal
The Makhzen regime’s aggressive actions against Algeria reached a critical point with the ruthless killing of three Algerian nationals in a truck bombing on the Nouakchott-Ouargla route. This heinous act was seen as a provocative move aimed at instigating tension and confrontation, but Algeria’s response was characterized by wisdom and restraint.
Through this “despicable and cowardly” act of terrorism, the Moroccan Makhzen regime inadvertently exposed itself on the international stage as a practitioner of what can only be described as “state terrorism. The Algerian Presidency strongly indicated Morocco’s involvement in this cowardly assassination using advanced weaponry. This incident, occurring during normal commercial exchanges between the two nations, is just another instance of a long-standing policy marked by territorial expansion and intimidation.
Algeria wasted no time in taking the necessary steps to investigate the crime and uncover its details. It emphasized that the assassination, which occurred amidst the celebration of the 67th anniversary of the National Liberation Revolution, “will not go unpunished.”
In light of these developments, Algeria’s decision to sever diplomatic relations with Morocco on August 24, 2021, is firmly upheld. The President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, made it clear that there can be no equating of the aggressor with the victim, especially given Morocco’s repeated acts of aggression and its apparent hidden agenda, which has come to light due to the failures of its internal and foreign policies.
Morocco’s Alarming Cooperation with Terrorist Organizations and Espionage Scandal: A Threat to Regional Stability
One of the most dangerous hostilities displayed by Morocco was its cooperation with terrorist organizations known as “MAK” and “Rachad,” which were implicated in heinous crimes, including the widespread fires in several former states of the Republic and the brutal murder of Jamal Ben Ismael.
The cyber espionage scandal, related to the “Pegasus” program, revealed extensive intelligence operations targeting Algerian citizens and officials with the support of a Zionist company. These hostile actions by the Makhzen regime have only served to exacerbate tensions in the region, especially in light of its alignment with the Zionist entity.
In conclusion, the Makhzen regime’s track record of hostility, betrayal, and treachery leaves little room for optimism. Their overtures, even from King Mohammed VI, are seen as nothing more than poison disguised as honey, given their history of deceit and backstabbing towards Algeria, their supposed “brothers.”
