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Rabat – Amar Belani, former spokesperson for the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made yet another controversial and contradictory statement to justify his country’s decision to terminate the contract for the Maghreb Europe gas pipeline.
In a statement to the Algerian news outlet, Echourouk Online, Belani claimed that the decision to end the contract is a “tangible and realistic expression of [Algeria’s] conviction about the importance of regional integration and the added value represented by these completed infrastructures for the Maghreb integration.”
Belani claimed that Morocco was not “at the level of the historical and strategic ambition represented by this huge project” for the Arab Maghreb.
In September, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune appointed Belani as the “special envoy for Western Sahara and Maghreb.” The controversial position reflects Algiers’ hostile approach towards undermining Morocco’s territorial integrity and sovereignty over Western Sahara.
Belani, who is known for endorsing his country’s position toward Western Sahara, echoed controversial remarks against Morocco’s territorial integrity during his statement to Echourouk Online.
The Algerian official described Morocco as an “occupying power,” claiming that it is using the Maghreb-Europe gas pipeline for its own purposes and to advance its own interests.
The claims came amid escalated tensions between Algeria and Morocco. On August 24, Algeria decided to cut diplomatic relations with Morocco. The Algerian regime also decided to close its airspace with Morocco.
In a statement on Sunday, October 31, upon the termination of the pipeline’s contract, the Algerian President ordered the cessation of commercial relations between Algeria’s Sonatrach and Morocco’s National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE). The order terminates the contract for the pipeline, which was originally supplying Spain with Algerian gas that runs through Morocco.
The pipeline has been operating since 1996, and was terminated on October 31, 2021.
Oualid Kebir, an Algerian political analyst and a journalist, slammed the Algerian regime for its continuous hostile rhetorics towards Morocco.
Kebir criticized the Algerian presidency for interfering in non-aligned activities and internal affairs that it is not a part of.
“The President of the Republic is not the contracting party and the National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines and the National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water are the contracting parties! The regime should have asked Sonatrach (the contracting party) to issue the statement, not the Presidency of the Republic!” he said.
In response to Belani’s claims, Oualid Kebir said that “ Algeria’s regime bargained with Morocco on the issue of the Moroccan Sahara,” urging the North African country to withdraw from Guerguerat in exchange for maintaining the gas pipeline.
“Belani’s words confirm what I mentioned earlier!” he added.
Morocco’s electricity and water authority responded to Algeria’s decision to terminate the pipeline’s contract on Sunday, October 31.
A joint statement from ONEE and the National Office for hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM) said that the decision will have no immediate effects on Morocco’s electricity system.
“Other options are being explored for sustainable, medium, and long-term alternatives.”
