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Rabat – King Mohammed VI has re-extended an olive branch to Algeria’s regime, hoping to see an end to the political stalemate between the two countries.
The monarch made his reconciliation offer during his speech commemorating the Throne Day, the 24th anniversary of his ascension to the throne.
King Mohammed VI said that in recent months, many have been inquiring about the status of ties between Morocco and Algeria.
“They are stable, and we look forward to seeing them improve,” the monarch said, reassuring Algerians as well as the country’s leadership that “no evil will ever be done to them, nor will any harm ever come to them from Morocco.”
He also stressed that Algeria should know that Morocco, as well as its people, attach “special importance to the bonds of affection, friendship, exchange, and interaction between our peoples.”
King Mohammed VI also renewed the importance of the reopening of Moroccan-Algerian borders, which have been closed since 1994.
“We pray for a return to normality and for the opening of borders between our two neighboring sister countries and peoples,” he said.
Algeria decided to close its border with Morocco when the Moroccan government imposed visa regulations on Algerian visitors in the wake of a terrorist attack on the Atlas Asi hostel in Marrakech.
Morocco lifted the visa requirement in 2004, but the border has remained closed.
In 2021, Algeria also decided to close its airspace with Morocco.
The monarch has been renewing the reconciliation offer, demonstrating the country’s firm commitment to seeking a peaceful resolution to end the political stalemate between Rabat and Algiers.
In 2018, King Mohammed VI said Morocco is ready for a direct and frank dialogue with Algeria, proposing the setting up of a joint political mechanism for dialogue and consultation to end the differences impeding the development of bilateral ties between the two countries.
The monarch renewed Morocco’s peace appeals several times, particularly in 2022 – when he reiterated Rabat’s concerns about the closure of borders.
During the last Throne Day speech, the monarch urged Moroccans to preserve the spirit of brotherhood, solidarity, and good neighborliness.
The speech came despite Algeria’s decision to cut bilateral ties with Morocco in 2021, blaming Rabat for the wildfires that ravaged several Algerian provinces that year
Regretting the unilateral decision to cut ties, Morocco described Algeria’s allegations as unfounded and as fallacies.
Morocco also stressed that it will continue to be a faithful and loyal partner to Algerians.
