Expulsion of Moroccans from Algeria

On 18 December 1975, the first day of Eid al-Adha, the Algerian president Houari Boumediene ordered the expulsion of all Moroccan nationals from Algeria, resulting in the exodus of 350,000 Moroccans.[1][2] Although, according to modern sources, between 10,000 [3] to 30,000 were expelled and 5,000 Moroccans were granted Algerian nationality.[4][5] The expulsion was a direct response to the Green March in the Western Sahara.[6][7]

In this image, Algeria is shown in Green, while Morocco is coloured Orange.

Expulsion of Moroccans from Algeria
Part of the Western Sahara conflict and the Western Sahara War
Location	Algeria
Date	18 December 1975 (46 years ago)
Attack type	Expulsion, Mass deportation
Victims	Moroccans
Perpetrators	Government of Algeria

The exodus, code-named by the Algerian government as the "Black March", was carried out by Abdelaziz Bouteflika, then the foreign minister of Algeria at the time.[8]

45,000 families were estimated to have been expelled; a large portion of them had lived in Algeria for over a decade.[9][10][11] Most Moroccans had lived wealthy lifestyles and were in good conditions prior to the expulsion.[12] Many families were separated; Moroccans who had married Algerians were not deported but their family members usually were. Many Moroccans have not yet been reunited with their families.[12][13]