Tags : Bilateral relations between Morocco and Algeria, Western Sahara, hacker Chris Coleman,
The text of this note is a statement refuting three pre-conditions set by Algerian officials for normalizing relations with Morocco. The speaker denounces the conditions as a dangerous, archaic approach reminiscent of the Cold War.
The conditions and rebuttals are:
- Ending Moroccan media « defamation »: The speaker completely refutes this, claiming Morocco consistently calls for strong relations and a unified Maghreb, while instead facing daily attacks from the Algerian press.
- Ending Moroccan drug trafficking into Algeria: The speaker rejects this, stating Morocco itself is a victim of drugs from Algeria. They question Algeria’s sudden focus on the issue, its lack of response to a proposed joint committee, and highlight international recognition (e.g., from the U.S. and UN) of Morocco’s anti-drug efforts.
- Resolving the Western Sahara issue first: The speaker condemns this as a new Algerian position that prioritizes support for separatists over regional cooperation. They argue Algeria has broken a prior commitment to separate this issue from bilateral relations. Algeria is called to clarify: if it is a party to the dispute, it must negotiate in good faith per UN parameters; if not, the condition makes no sense.
The statement asserts that Algeria’s conditions are unacceptable and obstructive. It concludes that Morocco, under King Mohammed VI, will continue to act in good faith for a strong, neighbourly relationship based on mutual respect, refusing to let the region’s destiny be held hostage.
Note complete text
TALKING POINTS
The past few weeks several Algerian officials have increased the number of statements made, linking the normalization of bilateral relations to three pre-defined conditions, namely:
The end to the so-called defamation campaign carried out by Moroccan media networks. This is false.
The end of ‘Moroccan’ drug trafficking and contraband on Algerian territory. This is a false allegation.
And, conditioning the normalization of bilateral relations between the two countries to the resolution of the Moroccan Sahara Issue. This is a new position.
I would like to make clear that this triple conditionality is a dangerous and unacceptable approach that results from an obsolete logic and reminds us of an archaic ideology, echoing the culture and the reflexes of the Cold War era.
Good neighborhood and cooperation are universal and international values which in no way should be conditioned by a particular state of mind or mood swing.
Today, no person has the right to hold hostage the destiny of a region and of two brotherly peoples.
1st Condition: So-called defamation campaign carried out by Moroccan media networks
I refute completely this alleged claim.
On the contrary, there is not a day that goes by where Morocco does not call upon Algeria for the establishment of a strong relation.
There is not a day where Morocco does not reiterate its commitment to strengthen the Grand Maghreb and to the inception of a New Maghreb Order, as called upon by His Majesty the King Mohammed VI.
Quite the contrary, there is not a day where Morocco does not undergo discriminating and unjust attacks by the Algerian Press.
2nd Condition: Allegations tied to drug trafficking and contraband
Today, Morocco and its youth are victims of the profusion of psychotropic substances and hard drugs, fraudulently introduced from Algerian territory.
In this regard, I would like to ask three questions:
Why have these questions never been evoked by Algeria during previous meetings with Moroccan officials?
Why has Algeria still not responded to Morocco’s official request to put in place a joint Ministry of Foreign Affairs/ Ministry of Interior committee in order to deal with the matter?
Since when has closing down borders and stopping customs cooperation ever been a solution to fight against trafficking?
Morocco will not receive any lesson from anyone.
Today, both the international community and bilateral relations recognize Morocco’s actions against drug trafficking.
All those who doubt of Morocco’s efforts are invited to consult the US State Department and UN specialized institutions who all commended the Moroccan actions in this domain.
When trust and political will prevail; it will result in a conclusive and fruitful bilateral cooperation. Our cooperation with Spain and several African States proves this point.
The fight against any form of trafficking is first and foremost a shared responsibility. It is up to Algeria to fully commit to a concerted approach, in order to tackle these phenomena.
3rd condition: Conditioning the normalization of bilateral relations between the two countries to the resolution of the Moroccan Sahara Issue
From this condition, we can see that Algeria places its support to the enemies of our territorial integrity above all other considerations, be it bilateral relations, construction of a Grand Maghreb, or even the creation of a peaceful and prosperous Mediterranean space.
Today we witness that Algeria has unilaterally broken the commitment, concluded at the highest level and reiterated on several occasions, to separate between the resolution of the Moroccan Sahara Issue and the evolution of our bilateral relations.
I consider that Algeria is contradicting itself. What we have here is a new speech. What is more, it is a new position.
Algeria is called upon to clarify its position:
If it considers itself to be a party to the regional dispute, then Algeria must commit, in good faith and in a spirit of compromise, to the search of a political negotiation, based on the parameters defined by the Security Council.
Furthermore, the latest Security Council Resolution 2099 calls on Algeria to fulfill its international responsibilities towards the Tindouf camps population of the camps of Tindouf by allowing for a census, their protection and free movement.
This resolution comes to strengthen the Moroccan position and coronates the efforts and actions carried out by His Majesty the King Mohammed VI.
If Algeria does not consider itself a party to the dispute, then one must question the aim of this conditionality.
In any event, Morocco will continue, as it has done so in the past, to act under the leadership of His Majesty the King Mohammed VI, in good faith, towards the emergence of a strong relationship with Algeria based on good neighbourhood principle and mutual respect, which are the core values of the Kingdom’s foreign policy.
#Morocco #Algeria #Bilateral_relations #WesternSahara #Medias_war