Jakarta, CNNI Indonesia —
The authority Algeria had time to censor national day broadcasts Morocco at the 2022 World Cup after beating Portugal 1-0 last weekend.
Algerian television censored footage of Morocco celebrating their semi-final success, he said Reuters.
Why did the Algerian government implement this policy?
Algeria and Morocco have been at odds in recent years. One of their conflicts is the border in the Western Sahara region.
Western Sahara is a region on the Atlantic coast of Africa. Rabat controls 80% of this area, including phosphate deposits and fishing waters.
Morocco claims Western Sahara as part of its territory. They also offer autonomy, stating that they will retain sovereignty.
However, the sovereignty of the territory is disputed by the Polisario Front, supported by the Algerian government. This group had fought against the government from 1975 to 1999 to demand a referendum.
In August 2021, the two countries also clashed after a major forest fire engulfed northern Algeria and killed 90 people.
Rabat attributes the fire to the independence movement in the Barber and Rabat regions.
The Rabat government has even cut off diplomatic ties with Algeirs.
The conflict has heated up after Morocco chose to open diplomatic relations with Israel. Algeria immediately condemned the move.
While the relationship was not harmonious, some Algerian citizens also celebrated Morocco’s success in reaching the semi-finals of the World Cup. In this round, the team from Rabat will meet France.
One of the Algerians who also celebrated was Miloud Mohamed.
“If we focus on politics, Morocco is an enemy because it has chosen Israel as a friend. But football is not politics. That’s why we support Morocco at the World Cup,” said Mohammed.
Frankly he will fully support the Moroccan national team against France. Mohammed believes Morocco and Algeria share the same fate because they were once colonized by France.
Algiers kebab seller Mehdi Belkassam is also vocally supporting Morocco’s fight at the 2022 World Cup.
“I feel I have to support Morocco, my neighbors, brothers and fellow Muslims,” Belkassam said.
(one/bac)
