User:IslandersIslanders/Algeria–Tunisia relations

Algeria and the Tunisia are both predominantly Muslim nations in North Africa. Both are former French colonies with Tunisian independence becoming official in 1956 and Algeria becoming independent after the conclusion of the Algerian War in 1962. Since independence both countries have had periods of antagonism over issues such as borders and terrorism, however it appears that both countries are trending towards a positive relationship. The Algerian-Tunisia border is around 1034 km (642 mi) long and was officially agreed upon in 1960. Today both countries are members of the African Union, Arab League, Union for the Mediterranean and the United Nations.

Relations Pre-Colonization
Over the years the Regencies of Tunis and Algiers had got into many conflicts.

Relations after Decolonization
Tunisia and Algeria both experienced independence differently and resulted in the rise of different philosophies in each country. Tunisia was able to gain its independence relatively peacefully, and once it had gotten its autonomy it was eager to work with European powers and the United States to create better relations. Contrast this with the bloody Algerian War of independence and the creation of a state that was headed by the National Liberation Front (Algeria) who was a decidedly socialist party. This resulted in Algeria aligning itself with the Soviet Union originally while taking a combative stance against the United States. These differences created issues between Tunisia and Algeria, but eventually as Algeria got stronger both politically and militarily it was clear Tunisia would have to conform.

Cold War Era Relations
Smaller and in a more precarious position vis-à-vis Libya, Tunisia has consistently made efforts to align with Algeria.Tunisia was the first of these two countries to gain independence in 1956. Tunisia supported Algeria in their war of independence by letting members of the FLN use Tunisian towns as bases of operation, which eventually led to the bombing of the village of Sakiet Sidi Youssef. A rift between these two nations had begun to form however, as the Tunisia was backed by the United States while Algeria was supportive of the Soviet Union. This had created growing security concerns in Tunisia as Algeria continued to grow more anti American. Eventually these concerns were quelled as Algeria signed a pact with Morocco in 1969 and later Tunisia in 1970. These agreement resulted in Tunisia reversing its position on the Western Sahara, settling border disputes with Algeria, and agreeing to have Algerian oil transported to the Tunisian port of Skhira so as not to antagonize Algerian authorities. Additiionally, Tunisia was the first nation to sign the Treaty of Fraternity and Concord with Algeria, in 1983. The treaty increased Algerian Tunisian relations while uniting the countries against Morocco and their claims in Western Sahara.

Economic Ventures
Throughout Algeria's independent history, it has joined in a number of economic ventures with Tunisia, including the transnational pipeline running from Algeria through Tunisia to Italy. In 1987 the departure from power in Tunisia of President Habib Bourguiba and his replacement by the more diplomatic Zine el Abidine Ben Ali brought the two nations closer again. This resulted in the formation of Arab Maghreb Union in February 1989, to which Tunisia and Algeria were both members. The goal of this agreement was to improve the economic position of North African countries while supporting free trade and economic movement across the region. While addressing the Maghribi summit the day after signing the pact, leader of Tunisia at the time Zine El Abidine Ben Ali said this about the newly formed alliance, “This declaration in itself represents a core political choice whose features became clear on the agreement that defines the legal and institutional framework for unified Maghreb action.” This pact was essential for both parties, It provided Tunisia a guarantee that Algerian hegemony in the region would not be realized while for Algeria it provided political stability and allowed them to regain support from the people after social unrest in 1988.

Relations after the Arab Spring
The Tunisian Revolution resulted in longtime President of Tunisia Zine El Abidine Ben Ali being overthrown when the Islamists represented by the Ennahda Movement took the reins of power in Carthage. This has resulted in general instability in the region and the rise of multiple terrorist groups who have led attacks against both countries. Algeria, who was relatively unaffected by the Arab Spring, has worked with the Tunisian government to create more security along the border while actively fighting terrorist groups in Tunisia.

Due to the weak central government after the revolution, the Tunisian-Algerian border was extremely weak. The borders security originally relied on the deals made by former President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali with various groups. After his ousting, the power vacuum led to the unregulated trafficking of weapons, smuggling and taking control of border crossings by force. Relations between the two countries have become blurry after numerous accusations from Tunisian local voices and politicians to the Algerian regime and intelligence regarding the terrorist ambush on a Tunisian Army patrol close to the borders on Monday, 29 July 2013, which they claim happened due to Algeria's concerns of a revolution transfer from Tunisia and the need to destabilize the crispy internal security. Another incident that had also challenged the security of the Tunisian-Algerian border was a terrorist attack at the Tiguentourine gas facility in January 2013, this attack has been linked to Tunisian and Libyan terrorist groups. These incidents resulted in the creation of a military buffer zone between the two borders beginning in August 2013. Tunisia's Internal Affairs minister said that Algeria was relieved that Tunisia was not going to export its revolution to them. Later, both countries entered a bilateral security agreement in 2014 with the goal of training both militaries to deal with internal terrorist threats.

Relations in the Present Day
Today, Tunisia is led by President Kais Saied who is the sole leader after his self coup in 2019. Algeria is led by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and his party the National Liberation Front. As political tensions rise in the region, especially in Tunisia as more Tunisians do not recognize Kais Saied’s government as legitimate, both of these countries have attempted to maintain good relations.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Algeria closed land borders to Tunisia in 2020 to prevent the spread of the virus. On 6 July 2022, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune announced to reopen the borders on 15 July.

In September of 2022, Tunisia invited the leader of the Polisario Front to Tunis in order to discuss the current situation in Western Sahara. Although Tunisia has remained neutral in the conflict, this action has been seen as a vote of support for Algeria.

On February 11th 2023, over 200 Tunisians were refused entry back into Tunisia after activist Amira Bouraoui escaped from Algeria to Tunisia where she was then able to escape to France. Despite Tunisia more than likely aiding in the escape, Algeria still supports Kais Saied and wants to keep up a strong relationship between the countries.

Resident diplomatic missions

 * Algeria has an embassy in Tunis and consulates in El Kef and Gafsa.
 * Tunisia has an embassy in Algiers, a consulate-general in Annaba and a consulate in Tébessa.