Rabat – King Mohammed VI’s offer came on November 6 as he gave a commemorative speech on the 43rd anniversary of the Green March.
The Moroccan monarch called for unity and brotherhood in the Maghreb region, saying that decades of cold diplomacy served no one’s interests in a region with a shared history that faces multiple common security and socio-political challenges.
Reacting to King Mohammed VI’s message, the US State Department said that rapprochement between Algiers and Rabat could help de-escalate regional tensions between two important players.
MAP, Morocco’s state news agency, quoted the State Department as saying that dialogue and improved diplomatic ties between the two neighbors would lead to significant gains for regional security.
“The US Government has urged Algeria and Morocco to recognize that improved relations will help the two countries tackle common bilateral and regional issues such as terrorism, illegal immigration, drug trafficking and economic integration,” the Department of State told MAP.
Algeria silent, inflexible despite warm international reactions
King Mohammed VI’s “frank dialogue” and Maghrebi brotherhood message has garnered positive reactions in Africa and elsewhere.
The US’s reading of the regional implications of the royal message echoed reactions by other governments and international bodies.
Spain, France, the UAE, Jordan, the African Union and the United Nations Secretary-General were all quick to applaud King Mohammed VI’s move. They hailed the boldness of Mohammed VI’s proposal to set aside decades of hostility and give a chance for peace and diplomatic normalization.
The international community’s response has supported the belief that frank dialogue between Algiers and Rabat would also help settle the Western Sahara question. Meanwhile, since the King’s speech, Algeria has shown no signs of readiness to allow the diplomatic overtures Morocco wishes.
Earlier this week, Morocco’s ruling party, the Justice and Development Party (PJD), announced plans of a trip to Algiers to meet with Algerian political parties.
PJD’s statement said that the party hoped to “seek solutions with a view to normalizing bilateral relations and overcoming all disputes that prevent the development of cooperation between the two countries.”
But Algerian parties have turned down PJD’s proposal. They argued that necessary steps to facilitate normalization between the two countries should come from governments rather than political parties.
“The parties do not have the capacity to make decisions binding on both countries,” said Mohamed Doubi, the secretary general of Algeria’s Ennahda party.
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