2023-07-30 12:08:06
In his traditional Speech from the Throne, delivered on Saturday evening, the King of Morocco Mohammed IV wished for a “return to normal” with Algeria, with whom diplomatic relations have been broken since August 2021, as well as a reopening of the borders with his neighbour.
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New outstretched hand from Mohammed VI to Algeria. On the evening of Saturday July 29, during the traditional speech marking the anniversary of his accession to the throne – 24 years ago now – the King of Morocco wished for a “return to normal” with Algiers.
He also wished for the reopening of the borders between the two countries, closed since 1994. “We pray to the Most High for a return to normalcy and a reopening of the borders between our two neighboring countries and our two brotherly peoples”, declared the Moroccan monarch in an address to the broadcast nation.
A wish expressed despite the rupture, at the end of August 2021, of diplomatic relations between Algeria and Morocco. Algiers, which took the initiative to sever ties, then accused Rabat of “hostile acts”. For the kingdom, it is a “completely unjustified” decision.
King Mohamed VI asks Algiers to return to normal and reopen the land borders closed since 1994. Diplomatic relations have been broken since August 2021.#Morocco #Algeria #Maghreb https://t.co/sAjyuEykJV
– Brahim Oumansour or Mansour Ibrahim (@ OumansourB) July 30, 2023
The thorny issue of Western Sahara
Since then, the two neighbors have maintained terrible relations, in a context of regional rivalry exacerbated by their antagonism over the disputed territory of Western Sahara.
For nearly fifty years, an armed conflict has opposed Morocco to the separatists of the Polisario Front, supported by Algeria. Morocco advocates an autonomy plan under its exclusive sovereignty, while the Polisario Front calls for a self-determination referendum under the aegis of the United Nations.
In January 2023, the diplomatic standoff between Rabat and Algiers also moved to the sporting field, with Morocco’s package for the African Nations Championship (CHAN), which was taking place in Algeria.
The recognition, in mid-July, by Israel of “Moroccan sovereignty” over Western Sahara has further revived tensions with Algiers, which castigated “foreign maneuvers”.
“We reassure our brothers in Algeria, their leadership and their people that they will never have to fear malice from Morocco,” said Mohammed VI.
The Moroccan sovereign calls each year for rapprochement between the two neighboring countries. On July 30, 2022, he reiterated “once once more” his outstretched hand to Algeria. “We also confirm to them all the value we attach to the bonds of affection and friendship, to the exchanges and interactions between our two peoples”, he insisted.
The Speech from the Throne: assessment and roadmap
While the health of the Moroccan sovereign – who will be 60 on August 21 – is a source of speculation in Morocco and abroad, Mohammed VI, slimmed down as in recent weeks, read with a firm voice his Speech from the Throne, which sets the assessment of the past year and sets a roadmap for the months to come.
Extolling the “seriousness of Moroccan youth”, he particularly hailed the “feat” of the national football team in Qatar in December, the first African and Arab team to reach a World Cup semi-final.
He was also delighted that at his initiative Morocco has decided to present its joint candidacy with Spain and Portugal for the organization of the final stages of the 2030 World Cup.
With AFP
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