Algeria’s Ambassador to Washington, Sabri Boukadoum, recently made a disputed claim. He stated Algeria was the first African, Arab, and Muslim country to sign a “Friendship and Cooperation Treaty” with the US in 1783. The statement occurred during an interview with the Stimson Center.
Hafed Al-Ghwell, journalist and director of the North Africa Program at the Stimson Center, challenged this assertion. He asserted Morocco was the first country to sign such a treaty. Morocco also holds the distinction of being the first nation to recognize US independence.
The Algerian ambassador insisted on Algeria’s 1795 treaty with the US. Al-Ghwell responded by emphasizing North Africa’s significance. He reiterated Morocco’s status as the first country to officially recognize the United States.
Historical Inaccuracy and Diplomatic Implications
This claim undermines the credibility of a senior diplomat. It also reflects a pattern of historical distortion regarding Morocco. Such misrepresentations involve overlooking established historical facts.
Morocco’s engagement with the nascent American republic is thoroughly documented. Sultan Sidi Mohammed (Mohammed III) declared in December 1777 that American ships could enter Moroccan ports safely. This proclamation marked an early, public recognition of American independence.
This was not a minor factual error. The move led to negotiations for the Treaty of Peace and Friendship. This treaty was signed in 1786. The US government considers it the oldest unbroken treaty relationship in US history.
When President Donald Trump recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara in December 2020, he referred to Morocco’s early recognition of the United States. He emphasized Morocco’s early treatment of the US as a sovereign partner since 1777.
Trump Administration’s Stance
Trump stated that Morocco was the first country to recognize the United States. He used this historical connection to justify his administration’s policy shift on Western Sahara.
“Morocco recognized the United States in 1777. It is thus fitting we recognize their sovereignty over the Western Sahara,” Trump wrote on Twitter. This statement underscores the importance of historical context in contemporary foreign policy decisions.
Geopolitical Context of the 18th Century
The modern state of Algeria did not exist at that time. The area was known as the Regency of Algiers. It was an Ottoman-era territory until the French invasion of 1830.
The political entity now known as Algeria was not an international actor then. Thus, asserting that “Algeria signed a 1783 treaty” conflates modern and historical identities. It also fails to reflect the political landscape of the 18th century.
