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Denver- King Mohammed VI issued a formal statement of condolence after the death of former Algerian politician Abdelkader Bensallah on Wednesday.
“In these painful circumstances, HM the King expresses to the Algerian President, to the family of the deceased and to the brotherly Algerian people, his heartfelt condolences and his sincere feelings of compassion, praying the Almighty to welcome the deceased among the virtuous and to reward him for the commendable services made for his homeland,” stated the message of King Mohammed VI.
Bensallah served as Algeria’s interim president for nine months between the resignation of President Bouteflika and the election of the current President Abdelmadjid Tebboune in 2019. Bensallah also served as President of Algeria’s Council of Nation and the People’s National Assembly within the Algerian legislative body during his twenty-year political career.
Bensallah’s death comes a week after the death of former President Bouteflika. Despite current political tensions between the two countries, King Mohammed VI paid his respects to both men for their leadership of Algeria’s political establishment.
The recent trend of hostilities between Morocco and Algeria has led to the severance of the little diplomatic ties that remained between the two North African neighbors. Last week, Algeria’s presidential office announced it would restrict Algerian airspace from Moroccan civil and military aviation traffic. The move prompted international airlines to reroute flights to accommodate Algeria’s decision.
In July, Algeria announced it would sever diplomatic ties with Morocco, recalling the country’s ambassador from Morocco. The Moroccan foreign ministry responded a month later by also recalling its top ambassador from Algiers. The increasingly fractured relationship has left many in the region concerned for the future political and economic stability of northern Africa.
