Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has called for the restoration of diplomatic relations with neighboring Algeria, which severed diplomatic ties with Rabat last year. During the traditional speech marking the 22nd anniversary of the king’s ascension to the throne on Saturday, Mohammed said he aspired to establish with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune normal relations between the “two brotherly peoples”. “I emphasize once again that the borders that separate the Moroccan and Algerian brothers will never be barriers that prevent their interaction and understanding,” the monarch said. He urged Moroccans to “maintain the spirit of brotherhood, solidarity and good neighborliness towards our Algerian brothers” and described the two countries as more than neighbors. “We consider Algeria’s security and stability as part of Morocco’s security and stability,” Mohamed said. “What affects Morocco will also affect Algeria, because they are twin complements.” Morocco and Algeria have long been at odds over the disputed territory of Western Sahara, where the Algerian-backed Polisario Front seeks independence from Rabat rule. Algeria severed diplomatic relations with Morocco in August 2021, accusing Rabat of “hostile acts”. The decision was “totally unjustified,” Rabat said. The border between Algeria and Morocco has been closed since 1994. The disputed status of Western Sahara – a former Spanish colony considered a “non-self-governing territory” by the United Nations – has pitted Morocco against the Polisario Front since the 1970s. Rabat, which controls nearly 80 percent of the territory, is pushing for autonomy under its rule. The Polisario Front, however, wants a UN-sponsored referendum on self-determination. Morocco’s sovereignty over the territory was backed by Washington in a 2020 deal that also saw Rabat normalize relations with Israel. Algeria, which supports the Palestinian cause apart from the Front, took the opportunity to criticize Morocco’s growing military cooperation with Israel, which it refers to as a “Zionist entity”. Referring to “complaints that Moroccans are insulting Algeria and Algerians”, Mohamed said it was the work of “irresponsible individuals trying to sow discord”. “This gossip about Morocco-Algeria relations is completely absurd and frankly disgusting,” he added. “We will not be able to cope with internal and external challenges without consolidating social stability and strengthening the economy.” The king also used Saturday’s speech to pledge to reform the family code in favor of women’s rights, social protection and price controls at a time of rising inflation. He also pledged to redouble vaccination efforts to combat COVID-19 and thanked the health sector, security forces and public authorities for their “dedication and sense of responsibility” during the pandemic. The reformist king, 58, has ruled Morocco since July 1999, when he succeeded his father, Hassan II.
