Morocco and Algeria rivalry persists amid diplomatic shifts

The long-standing rivalry between Morocco and Algeria remains a central point of tension in North Africa, driven largely by the dispute over Western Sahara. This conflict intensified in 2022 after Spain supported Morocco's proposal for autonomy in the region, a move that angered Algerian leadership.

In July 2026, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez traveled to Algeria to meet with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieba. The mission aimed to resolve the diplomatic crisis and redefine bilateral relations. These discussions occurred amidst concerns regarding migration; some observers questioned if Morocco might use migration as a tool of pressure following Spain's shift toward Algeria.

However, Moroccan Ministry of Interior spokesperson Rachid El Khalfi denied such accusations, attributing recent border tensions in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta to social media misinformation and misinterpretations of Spanish Supreme Court rulings. Experts suggest that Morocco did not intentionally provoke mass border crossings.