An Algerian columnist with French channel RMC, Mehdi Ghezzar, has recently launched a vitriolic attack on Morocco, making unfounded and defamatory accusations against the North African nation.
His comments, during a show on local channel AL24, serve as a clear example of the Algerian government’s propaganda campaign aimed at discrediting Morocco and undermining its legitimate interests.
Ghezzar’s diatribe, laced with derogatory comparisons and baseless accusations, painted Morocco in a deeply negative light. He went as far as to liken the North African nation to “the Thailand of Africa,” a reference he clarified by implying a comparison to Thailand’s association with the darker aspects of tourism.
“When we talk about Thailand, we don’t usually talk about the landscapes, if you know what I mean,” Ghezzar said, insinuating that Morocco has become a hub for illicit activities.
Ghezzar’s tirade, filled with baseless allegations of drug trafficking, child abuse, and other heinous crimes, is a far cry from the journalistic integrity expected from a professional commentator.
“Morocco is a rogue state through these drug networks where you want to steal a child, there are some. You want to rape a child, there are some,” Ghezzar claimed. He went on to accuse Morocco of being a haven for “war criminals, drug dealers, people involved in prostitution, child stealing, pedophilia, child kidnapping.”
His claims are not only unsupported by any credible evidence but also contradict the well-established reputation of Morocco as a stable and progressive country.
The nation has consistently been praised by international organizations for its efforts in combating crime, promoting education, and protecting the rights of women and children.
Ghezzar’s shameful statement also included a swipe at Morocco’s literacy rates, claiming that “over 50% of the Moroccan population is illiterate.” While the exact figure is contentious, Morocco has made significant strides in improving education, with the literacy rate rising steadily in recent years.
His comments on literacy were seen as an attempt to belittle Morocco’s development efforts, despite evidence of progress in the country’s educational sector.
The comparison of Morocco to a criminal state, coupled with his assertion that “Morocco has become a vacation spot for many antithesis war criminals,” has been seen by many watchers as not only offensive but also potentially inciting further tension in an already fraught regional relationship.
Ghezzar’s tirade is not just an isolated incident but part of a larger pattern of inflammatory rhetoric that has characterized the Algerian media’s approach to Morocco.
This latest outburst highlights the extent to which media figures are willing to go to demonize their neighbor, often resorting to hate, exaggeration and misinformation.
The Algerian government’s use of the columnist with French RMC as a mouthpiece to spread misinformation about Morocco is a clear attempt to divert attention from its own domestic problems and to undermine Morocco’s growing influence in the region.
By painting a false picture of Morocco as a lawless and corrupt state, Algeria hopes to justify its own aggressive policies and to rally support for its separatist allies in Western Sahara.
It is imperative to expose the Algerian government’s propaganda campaign for what it is: a desperate attempt to undermine Morocco’s reputation and to sow discord between the two countries.
Ghezzar’s claims are particularly egregious when compared to the well-documented human rights abuses committed by the Algerian government itself. Algeria has a long history of repressing dissent, torturing political prisoners, and violating the rights of its citizens.
The Algerian regime’s hypocrisy in criticizing Morocco while ignoring its own shortcomings is a testament to its own moral bankruptcy.
