Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s Fake Olive Branch to Morocco

The Algerian president is changing his tone. On Saturday, during a periodic interview with representatives of the local media, he announced the organization of inclusive Maghreb meetings. "Due to the current void, in the absence of common Maghreb action," it has been decided to "organize Maghreb meetings without excluding any party," he said. Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s wish is that "this space be a beneficial initiative for the countries of the region by gathering and unifying their voices on the issues that concern them, especially since we share almost the same problems." "This bloc is not directed against any other state and the door is open to the countries of the region," he added, stressing that it is "unacceptable" to isolate anyone.

The Sahara issue was also on the agenda of the interview. It is "a just cause on the United Nations agenda," said the Algerian president. However, he took care to nuance that its settlement "is not directed against our brothers in Morocco or anyone else, but it is a matter of decolonization." And to argue: "If we use reason instead of threat and force, we will reach a solution." The Sahara issue remains one of the points of friction between Morocco and Algeria, which unilaterally severed diplomatic relations with its neighbor in August 2021. While its protégé, the Polisario, is fighting for "the right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination" through a referendum, Morocco is proposing an autonomy plan under its sovereignty. A proposal supported by many countries, including the United States, Spain, Germany and Israel.