The Historical Roots of the Conflict between Morocco and Algeria: Colonial Heritage and Western Sahara

Through the study of the intertwined histories of Morocco and Algeria, this article reveals how shared history, colonization, and territorial rivalry have influenced relations between the two countries. It links contemporary tensions to colonial border policies implemented by France in North Africa, whose administrative decisions left unresolved territorial conflicts that remained after independence. As a result, these persistent issues contributed to the Sand War of 1963, an early clash that revealed the fragility of relations between the two newly independent neighbors. The article also recalls periods of solidarity and mutual support during resistance to colonial rule and the Algerian struggle for independence. Nevertheless, at the heart of Morocco–Algeria relations, rooted in linguistic, religious, and cultural bonds, lie enduring political disagreements between unity and division, particularly in diplomacy and regional cooperation. Particular attention is given to the Western Sahara conflict, which has remained a central issue since the mid-1970s. The paper examines the emergence of the Polisario Front and its competing narratives of sovereignty with Morocco, and the involvement of international actors, with particular attention to the role of the United Nations in ceasefire monitoring and finding political solutions to avoid further conflicts.