Rabat — A video widely circulating on social media shows an Algerian man urging fellow Algerians to take violent action against irregular Moroccan migrants living in the country.
Speaking in an Algerian dialect in what appears to be a TikTok live, he calls on Algerians to “retaliate,” claiming authorities would not protect the migrants — rhetoric that amounts to an explicit incitement to violence, including against vulnerable individuals.
The serious remarks come amid a hostile campaign in Algeria targeting Morocco, especially since Algeria’s squad was disqualified by Nigeria in the AFCON.
“To the Moroccan who is here [in the live] and asking me to repeat what I said- I will say it again and register it. Listen carefully, Algrians. Moroccans who are here in Algeria irregularly… the state will not intervene for them. If you want revenge, then take it. Do it in groups- ten, fifteen, twenty… they will be gone,” the man said.
Many X posts allege the man is an Algerian journalist.
He continued asking for revenge, alleging that the Algerian state will not do anything to harm whoever commits the crimes.
“You are at home here. I’m telling you: The Algerians state will stand behind you, whether you are innocent or guilty. Whether it’s a woman, an elderly woman, or an elderly man, it does not matter,” he added.
Algeria’s loss at the AFCON quarterfinal was marked with controversy and unorderly conduct. The match sparked protests from some Algerian players who violated rules and confronted officials on and off the pitch.
Fans attempted to storm the pitch and engaged in acts of vandalism, including tearing Moroccan banknotes, claiming the match was fixed despite Nigeria’s strong performance.
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One video circulating from the stadium even shows an individual making a vulgar gesture aimed at insulting Moroccans.
Converging reports said that suspects involved in such acts, including tearing Moroccan currency, have since been detained.
Tensions among Algerians were not just fueled by the tournament’s events, but by larger hostility towards Morocco’s organization.
Algerian officials and the media tried to blame their own squad’s defeat to Nigeria on what they term AFCON’s “shameful practices” that are “harming African football.”
The Algerian Football Federation also claimed it would not overlook the refereeing decisions in the quarterfinal between Algeria and Nigeria, in which the West African squad secured a ticket to the semifinals.
Nigeria, since losing to Morocco, played Egypt yesterday for the third-place position, in which they won in the final penalties 4-2.