RABAT —
Morocco’s King Mohammed VI used an address on Saturday to “once again”
reiterate his openness to restoring ties with Algeria, which broke off
diplomatic relations with Rabat last year.
اضافة اعلان
“We aspire to work
with the Algerian presidency so that
Morocco and Algeria can work hand in hand
to establish normal relations between two brotherly peoples,” Mohammed said during
the traditional speech marking the anniversary of his accession to the throne.
“I stress once
again that the borders that separate the Moroccan and Algerian brothers will
never be barriers preventing their interaction and understanding.”
He urged Moroccans
to “preserve the spirit of fraternity, solidarity and good neighborliness
towards our Algerian brothers”.
Morocco and
Algeria have long been at odds over the disputed territory of Western Sahara,
where the Algiers-backed Polisario Front is seeking independence from Rabat’s
rule.
Algeria broke off
diplomatic relations with Morocco in August 2021, accusing Rabat of “hostile
acts”.
The decision was
“completely unjustified”, Rabat said.
The disputed
status of Western Sahara — a former Spanish colony considered a “non-autonomous
territory” by the
UN — 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
sovereignty.
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 ties with Israel.
Algeria, which
supports the Palestinian cause in addition to the Front, has taken the
opportunity to criticize Morocco’s growing military cooperation with Israel.
Referring to
“allegations that Moroccans insult Algeria and Algerians”, Mohammed said they
were the work of “irresponsible individuals who are trying to sow discord”.
“This gossip about
Moroccan-Algerian relations is totally senseless and frankly appalling,” he
added.
The king also used
Saturday’s speech to pledge reform of the family code in favor of women’s
rights, social protections and price controls at a time of rising inflation.
He also pledged to
redouble vaccination efforts to fight COVID-19.
The reformist
king, 58, has ruled Morocco since July 1999, when he succeeded his father,
Hassan II.
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