Algeria announces imposing a visa on Moroccans in the face of “actions detrimental” to its stability

Algeria announces imposing a visa on Moroccans in the face

Algeria, which has no longer had diplomatic relations with Morocco since 2021, decided this Thursday to impose an entry visa for Moroccan nationals with immediate effect. Algiers accuses Rabat of carrying out “actions detrimental” to its stability.

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With our correspondent in Algiers, Faisal Metaoui

Algiers accuses Rabat of taking advantage of the visa exemption regime to deploy Israeli intelligence agents carrying Moroccan passports and of carrying out actions detrimental to the stability and security of the country.

A press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs mentions “ the organization » on a large scale, organized crime networks, drug and human trafficking, smuggling, illegal immigration. Acts considered, according to the same source, to “ direct threat » on the security of the country and “ impose firm and strict control of all points of access and stay in Algerian territory “.

Morocco is held solely responsible for the current process of deterioration of bilateral relations through its hostile actions towards Algeria. », It is added in the same press release.

In August 2021, as a reminder, Algeria had severed diplomatic relations with Moroccoaccusing his neighbor “ hostile acts », citing the use of Israeli software Pegasus to spy on Algerian officials. Consular relations between the two neighboring countries are maintained. Nearly 40,000 Moroccans are established in Algeria.

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