Expropriation case highlights amateurism of Algerian diplomacy

The Algerian foreign minister Ahmed Attaf surprisingly said an expropriation case of unused buildings owned by Algeria in Morocco was closed, few days only after vowing to retaliate using harsh words in a foreign ministry statement.

Speaking to Algerian reporters, Attaf said Algeria found Morocco’s response “appropriate” and closed the case.

Algeria has said it will complain to the UN and described the expropriation as a “confiscation,” while accusing Morocco of escalation and hostile acts.

Soon After, a Moroccan diplomatic source spoke to different media outlets explaining that Algeria was well-aware of the procedure and that Algerian authorities were the first to expropriate the residence of the Moroccan ambassador in Algiers.

Attaf’s reaction shows the extent of amateurism within an Algerian diplomacy steered by men in uniform.

Prior to the expropriation procedure, Morocco has been expressing to the Algerian consul in Casablanca in 8 correspondences its intent to reach an agreement regarding the villa amicably since 2022.

In one of the responses, and before even Morocco launched its expropriation procedure, the Algerian consulate in Casablanca informed the foreign ministry that Algeria will expropriate the residence of the Moroccan ambassador in Algiers due to its proximity to the People’s Palace for “public utility” purposes.