Rabat- Aziz Sahmaoui, a Moroccan artist who lives in France, has reportedly applied for the Algerian citizenship.
Last Wednesday, the Moroccan-born artist performed at Algeria’s International Festival of music Diwan. On the sidelines of his concert, Aziz Sahamoui reportedly told his audience that he applied for the Algerian citizenship.
In an interview with Algeria’s daily lexpressiondz, Aziz confirmed that he wants to obtain the Algerian citizenship because of his “huge love for Algeria.”
“I’d love to be an Algerian Citizen. It would be such an honor for me. May be this is a right, but it will be a joy, a privilege, an honor to be an Algerian citizen,” he said.
This comes a year after Algeria’s singer, Cheb Khaled was granted the Moroccan citizenship.
Aziz Sahmaoui was born in Marrakech, Morocco. In 1988, he decided to settle down in Paris, France.
He is a member of the Orchestre National de Barbes and former sideman of Joe Zawinul. Currently, he is the leader of the Northern Africa fusion group, “University of Gnawa”, which mixes Gnawa Trance and African beats.
