In his address to the nation, Mohammed VI has “once again” called for the rapprochement between the two countries, which oppose the status of Western Sahara.
Le Monde
The King of Morocco Mohammed VI reiterated “once again” his hand stretched in Algeria, despite the rupture of relations between the two Maghreb neighbors, during the traditional speech marking the anniversary of his accession to the throne. “We aspire to work with the Algerian presidency so that Morocco and Algeria can work, hand in hand, to establish normal relations between two brothers peoples,” said the sovereign in a speech radiated to the nation on Saturday July 30.
“I emphasize once again that the borders that separate the Moroccan people and the Algerian brothers will never be barriers preventing their interaction and their understanding,” he said, exhorting the Moroccans to “preserve the spirit of fraternity, solidarity and good neighborhood with regard to our Algerian brothers “. Last year, he had already chosen to address Algerian opinion, in the midst of a crisis with Algiers.
Mohammed VI is committed to “finding a way out of the current situation and promoting rapprochement and understanding between the two peoples”. Algeria broke its diplomatic relations with Morocco in August 2021, accusing Rabat of “hostile acts”. A “completely unjustified” decision, according to Rabat. The main litigation between the two heavyweights of the Maghreb relates to the disputed territory of Western Sahara.
at the heart of tensions, Western Sahara
The status of this ex-Spanish ex-colony, considered as a “non-autonomous territory” by the UN, has opposed Morocco since the 1970s to the Saharawi independence from the Polisario Front, supported by Algiers. Rabat, which controls almost 80 % of this territory, advocates an autonomy plan under its sovereignty. The Polisario claims a self -determination referendum under the aegis of the UN.
In addition, Algeria, support of the Palestinian cause, does not miss an opportunity to castigate growing cooperation, in particular military, of Morocco with “the Zionist entity” (Israel). Referring to “the allegations that Moroccans insult Algeria and Algerians”, the Cherifian monarch said they are the fact of “irresponsible individuals who strive to sow Zizania between the two brothers”. “These discounts on Moroccan-Algerian relations are completely insane and sincerely dismay”, he insisted.
In the rest of his speech with a strong socio -economic tone, the Cherifian monarch has set national priorities: the reform of the family code in favor of women’s rights, social protection, prices control – in a International conjuncture of inflationary tensions -, and vaccination to combat the COVID -19. Reforming king, Mohammed VI, 58 years old, has reigned over Morocco since July 1999, when he succeeded his father, Hassan II.