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Meknes – Algeria’s ministry of foreign affairs has denied “rumors” of Saudi mediation in its diplomatic crisis with Morocco. Algerian media quoted Amar Belani, Algiers’ special envoy for Western Sahara and the Maghreb, as saying that the issue “was not raised as it was not on the agenda of the visit.”
Belani recalled remarks by the Algerian Foreign Minister, Ramtane Lamamra at the session of the Executive Council of the Arab League, held on September 9 in Cairo. Lamamra had said during the meeting”the decision to break diplomatic relations” with Morocco is non-negotiable and “ will not be subject to any discussion.”
Algeria has in recent weeks intensified its relentless anti-Moroccan campaign, with the Algerian foreign minister repeatedly accusing Rabat, albeit without pointing to evidence, of colluding with Israel and “terrorist groups” to destabilize Algeria.
During the meeting in Cairo, for example, Lamamra claimed that Morocco is conspiring against Algeria “by establishing dangerous alliances with the sole aim of achieving immediate gains to the detriment of the noble objectives of the system of common Arab action.”
Since Algeria decided to escalate tensions and cut ties with Morocco on August 24, the country is reported to have rejected all mediation initiatives by Arab countries.
At the Cairo meeting, the Algerian foreign minister also said that the decision to cut ties with Morocco is a “sovereign, final, and irreversible decision.”
Although Morocco has dismissed Algeria’s “unilateral and unjustified” decision to cut ties and strongly rejected “the fallacious accusations” Algiers invoked to sever ties with Rabat, the Moroccan government has maintained its commitment to regional stability and peace.
Despite Algerian officials’ ruthless campaign to antagonize Morocco by presenting it as an “existential enemy” of Algerian stability and interests, Rabat has said that it is committed to remaining a good neighbor and friend for the Algerian people despite widening political divergences.
But with no end in sight for the Algerian government’s Morocco-bashing ritual, it remains to be seen whether Rabat will respond in kind to “Algerian provocations” or ignore what many in Moroccan policy circles appear to view as a desperate attempt by a besieged regime to distract from its litany of political failures.
