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Reports in Mauritania have expressed serious concerns over an Algerian military patrol’s recent incursion into Mauritanian territory.
The incursion took place last week on Friday, when an Algerian patrol crossed eight kilometers into Mauritania, raising tensions between the two countries.
Mauritanian news outlet Anbaa Info said the Algerian military patrol entered Mauritanian territory without any warning or coordination with the authorities of the neighboring country.
“The absurd and unconvincing justifications presented by the Algerian army to the Mauritanian gendarmerie they encountered on their way were that they could not distinguish between local gold prospectors and terrorists, and that poor communication networks prevented them from coordinating with the Mauritanian authorities,” the news outlet said.
The report added Mauritania did not respond to the incident, preferring to show restraint despite the seriousness of the situation that clearly violated its soventity.
“This contradicts the principles Algeria loudly proclaims when it comes to its own borders,” Anbaa Info lamented.
The provocative move from Algeria is not a none off, with the Mauritanian outlet recalling recent reports of an Algerian military patrol crossing into Malian territory.
Read Also: Mali Uses UN Platform to Slam Algeria for ‘Harboring Terrorists’
While Algeria denied these latest reports, the Algerian regime has repeatedly faced backlash over its interference in other countries’ domestic affairs.
Earlier this year, Mali strongly condemned Algeria’s provocative interference in its domestic affairs.
In August, Mali’s government forcefully accused Algeria of hypocrisy and meddling in Malian internal affairs.
“Algeria has no right to lecture Mali on human rights or international law,” a Malian official stated, pointing to Algeria’s own human rights record and alleged support for armed groups in the Sahel region.
This came as a response to statements made by Algeria’s representative to the UK Amar Bendjama who caused controversy when he called for action against “private armies hired by certain states.”
Mali had echoed the same sentiment in January, reiterating its rejection of Algeria’s hostility and unfriendly conduct.
The country’s government spokesperson notably accused Algeria of an “increasing number of unfriendly acts, instances of hostility and interference in Mali’s internal affairs.”
In addition to Mauritania and Mali, Algeria’s regime has long interfered in Morocco’s domestic affairs by supporting the separatist Polisario Front’s quest to establish an independent state in southern Morocco.
