Douar Cheraga is a small hamlet situated right up against the border between Morocco and Algeria. Situated 8.7 km SE of Afhir. It is a place which is bypassed by most Moroccans, let alone western tourists. We visited on a Wednesday afternoon and there was no sign of life, no cars, no inhabitants apart from border guards in 2 fixed observation posts and a clutch of chickens that followed us about.
Unsurprisingly the only reason we visited was the hamlets proximity to the border which meant we could get closer here than at the border crossings with their barriers, restricted zones and surveillance. I visited this point as part of the IBRG MOMEX-24.
The Village
The Border
It is easy to walk very close to the Algerian border fortifications. I estimate we were 8m away from the actual border at this point.
Shades of the Berlin Wall but in the 21st century. Residents local to the border wish for a relaxation of the border regime for family visits and trade. There is however a political inertia which says that any change will be slow.
This border echoes the inner German border, the Berlin Wall and the USA/Mexico border.
Date of Visit: 07 March 2024
Barry's Borderpoints 