Algeria-Morocco border closing
 

Hi all

My first time on the HUBB since 2017 :(

Seeing this article reminded me of my own experiences.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-57467644

Its being closed was the reason I started the N Africa part of my 2007 overland trip in Tunisia – otherwise I’d have been delighted to start in Morocco and cross into Algeria then on to Tunisia etc. I did hear it had reopened about 5 or 10 years ago, but obv not any more ☹

I think this India mobile phone article might well have been set on that border too - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1pdKiGOn4o

BW, Mark

The border has been closed since 1994 except for a one-day reopening in 2009 near Oujda to allow a Palestine relief convoy through, see BBC NEWS | Africa | Africa border opens for Gaza aid

I've visited many parts of the border and have never seen barbed wire as shown in the Indian TV advert.

Thanks for posting the link to the BBC article Mark. It was interesting reading.

I think re-opening of the Algeria-Morocco border will be a long time coming... Morocco is presently preoccupied with their dispute with the Spanish, and I doubt if either country sees any great economic benefit arising from re-opening the Algeria-Morocco border.

What I have been unable to figure out is what benefit, if any, accrues to the Algerians from supporting the Western Sahara independence movement. From a 'realpolitik' perspective, I think it would make more sense for the Algerians to just say 'to heck with them' and let the Moroccans deal with the indigenous Western Sahara residents.

Michael

Yes, I remember reading about that convoy, led by ‘Gorgeous George’ Galloway.

Tim / Michael – I am SURE I read somewhere (and it may even have been on the HUBB) a few years ago that Morocco and Algeria were in the process of training up border staff and renovating crossing points preparatory to (re)opening that border. But it’s really irritating when you remember reading something yet can’t remember where you read it, or can’t find it when you look for it!

However I did find THIS which is an interesting read in itself
https://carnegieendowment.org/2019/0...rity-pub-78618