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-   -   Morocco Algeria Border To Open Shortly (https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/morocco/morocco-algeria-border-open-shortly-55884)

Chris Scott 18 Nov 2011 10:20

I have no special inside info but I would not make plans on this border being open now, even if it all seemed so certain at the time.

I even wonder if it was not some sort of media distraction or appeasing gesture to do with the many revolts across the Maghreb at the time.

Let's hope it actually happens one day - it is Alg that is digging in.

btw, I hear the Almeria-Oran ferry has been suspended this winter but Acconia's Almeria-Ghazaouet (very close to Oran) is still running at least once a week in winter.

Ch

priffe 18 Nov 2011 11:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by nomadic (Post 356185)
Seems like further news has died about the Oujda border?

Not quite, this came today Algérie-Maroc : Du nouveau dans les relations «dans un avenir très proche» - 7 jours - El Watan
"Rabat wants a "full normalization" of relations with Algiers, said yesterday the AFP Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Taeib Fassi Fihri, who considers it "abnormal not to have a normalized relationship" with the neighboring country."

I think the algies are stalling. Like a comment says, this is politics: "Je t'aime moi non plus".
But change can come quickly in the arab world, as we have seen this year...
An opening of the border and the Western Sahara situation resolved would be tantamount to a minor revolution.

Endurodude 6 Jan 2012 13:44

Can I assume from the lack of recent thread additions that the border is still a no-go?

Would there be a problem with someone going through Morocco (and then Western Sahara), into Mauritania (and possibly Mali) and then going into Algeria? I'm not sure whether the Algerians would object to you having been in Morocco AT ALL, or whether it was just a no-no to go straight from one to the other?

It could be quite a nice diversion East . . . .

Niva Say Never 6 Jan 2012 17:40

Hi,
I don't have any info on the Moroc - Alg border, but confidently assume nothings significantly changed recently.......hope i'm wrong of course.

Def no problem with a Moroc stamp in your passport when going to Alg, but you'll have to go further south than Mauri or Mali, their borders have been either closed or the route far too risky for quite a while.

Read more here and/or check out Chris' website for all the info before making any plans
Sahara Overland ~ Trans Sahara Routes

Sam

priffe 16 Jan 2012 19:35

Looky here!
Algeria agrees to briefly re-open borders with Morocco: report

Niva Say Never 17 Jan 2012 17:53

Hmmm, little by little!
Got my fingers crossed it's the first step, but I guess it's still likely to be a pretty long road?

Cheers Priffe

priffe 23 Jan 2012 19:17

Yes Niva
little by little....but it is about to happen
Algerie-diplomatie-maroc-visite-historique-du-ministre-marocain-des-affaires-etrangeres

priffe 3 Feb 2012 09:24

Border to open in May!
 
that should get yer attention :)
Algeria may open border with Morocco (Magharebia.com)
it may actually be in the works
"The land border between Algeria and Morocco could be opened as early as May. The news follows statements by Algerian ministers indicating warming ties between the neighbours following an official visit by Morocco's chief diplomat."

ilpo 3 Feb 2012 09:30

This would be excellent! And just on time for my summer plans...

Chris Scott 3 Feb 2012 09:42

open for foreign tourists?
 
I was about to say, let's hope it opens for all, and not just Maghrebians/Africans, as with many borders in the Sahara.

Ch

Gallos 3 Feb 2012 14:18

great news for the summer...
Someone remember wen was closed?

geoffshing 3 Feb 2012 15:31

1996
 
As it says in the report 'Closed in 1996'. I'm very much looking forward to it opening as I've been wanting to do the North Africa circle route for a LOOONG time!

Gallos 3 Feb 2012 15:44

ty geoffshing. I know a guy how was cross the borDer in 2002!! He tell me the border officers some times the make exceptions..

DesertSoul 5 Feb 2012 02:43

Border officers? What border officers???

priffe 6 Feb 2012 13:35

More and more articles popping up with talk about the possible opening of the borders . . . even about reviving the ideas of a maghreb union
«La réouverture de la frontière aura un impact positif pour les deux pays» - Economie - El Watan
"That said, the opening of the border could not bear fruit unless it is accompanied by concrete measures to remove all obstacles (customs, bureaucracy ...) to the free movement of goods flows and investment.
If the opening of the border is necessary for the free movement of persons, goods and capital, it remains insufficient if it is not accompanied by real structural reforms to make the two neighboring economies very attractive to accommodate these flows."

There are shady groups who have no interest in an open border
http://www.elwatan.com/economie/la-f...157854_111.php

Report from a bordertown
Algérie-Maroc : Quand le business ouvre la frontière ! - Economie - El Watan

Even if this won't happen overnight, it is some of the most positive news to come out of the region for decades (from a touristy POV), no?


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