The Historical Borders of Algeria: Bernard Lugan Highlights France’s Role in Shaping Algerian Territory
Introduction
The historical borders of Algeria remain a subject of intense debate, especially in light of the claims made by French historian Bernard Lugan. In a recent article published on Le360 on January 28, 2025, Lugan argues that Algeria owes its current borders to France, which systematically annexed Moroccan territories to expand Algeria during the colonial period. This argument has reignited discussions about the legitimacy of Algeria’s territorial claims and its historical relationship with Morocco.
The Role of France in Defining Algerian Borders
According to Lugan, Algeria’s modern borders were shaped through a series of colonial decisions that favored its territorial expansion at the expense of Morocco. The historian identifies four key phases during which France redrew the map of North Africa, significantly altering Morocco’s territorial integrity.
Phase 1: Treaty of Tangier and Treaty of Lalla Maghnia (1844-1845)
Following the French conquest of Algeria in 1830, France sought to establish clear borders between Algeria and Morocco. In 1844, after the Battle of Isly, France imposed the Treaty of Tangier, followed by the Treaty of Lalla Maghnia in 1845. These treaties vaguely defined the borders between the two nations, allowing France to expand into Moroccan territories over time. This ambiguity later enabled France to justify the annexation of key Moroccan regions such as Tindouf and parts of the Sahara, which were traditionally under Moroccan sovereignty.
Phase 2: French Expansion Southward in the Late 19th Century
During the late 19th century, France intensified its expansion southward into Moroccan lands. The regions of Saoura, Touat, and Gourara were historically under Moroccan influence, but France took advantage of diplomatic agreements with Britain to solidify its control over these areas. Moroccan tribes such as the Ouled Sidi Cheikh sought protection from the Moroccan Sultan, but France used its military and diplomatic leverage to integrate these territories into what would later become Algeria.
For more details on the French expansion in the Sahara, visit Anbaa Express
Phase 3: The Agreements of 1900 and 1903
In 1900, France signed an agreement with Britain delineating spheres of influence in Africa. This accord allowed France to extend Algeria’s borders further into Moroccan lands, including areas such as Béchar and Oued Saoura. These strategic acquisitions were justified under the pretext of building infrastructure like railways, but their true purpose was to secure vast resource-rich lands for the French colonial administration.
Phase 4: The Border Settlement During Algeria’s Independence in 1962
When Algeria gained independence in 1962, France played a decisive role in formalizing its borders. The colonial authorities ensured that large parts of the Moroccan Sahara, including Tindouf, remained under Algerian control despite their historical and administrative ties to Morocco. France’s border demarcation at this stage ignored centuries of Moroccan sovereignty over these territories, resulting in long-term geopolitical tensions between Morocco and Algeria.
For an in-depth look at how France defined Algeria’s borders, see this historical analysis.
The Historical Evidence Supporting Morocco’s Claims
Lugan emphasizes that historical documents, such as dahirs issued by Moroccan sultans, confirm Morocco’s governance over the regions annexed by France prior to Algeria’s independence. Furthermore, Moroccan historical records, including taxation documents and administrative decrees, provide undeniable evidence of Moroccan sovereignty over areas like Tindouf and Béchar.
The Franco-Algerian Tensions and Their Impact on Morocco
Since France officially recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara in 2023, diplomatic tensions between Algeria and France have escalated. Algeria has accused France of siding with Morocco, while France has grown increasingly frustrated with Algeria’s continuous criticism and diplomatic attacks.
Lugan argues that Algeria’s aggressive stance toward France is paradoxical given that it owes both its name and its borders to French colonial policies. The historian asserts that Algerian authorities should acknowledge the historical role France played in shaping their country instead of engaging in anti-French rhetoric.
For more background on Algeria’s reaction to France’s recognition of Moroccan sovereignty, read this report.
Conclusion: The Ongoing Dispute Over Algeria’s Borders
The territorial disputes between Morocco and Algeria remain unresolved, with historical evidence strongly suggesting that Morocco was the primary victim of French colonial decisions. Bernard Lugan’s research sheds light on this historical injustice, emphasizing that Morocco paid a heavy price for France’s geopolitical interests in North Africa.
As tensions persist between Morocco and Algeria over territorial issues and regional influence, the historical facts presented by Lugan challenge Algeria’s official narrative and reaffirm Morocco’s longstanding claims over the annexed territories.
For more insights and historical context, explore the following sources:
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