Algeria Demands Resignation of Muslim Scholars Union President Over Tindouf Comments

"We, the Algerian members of the (UIOM), are freezing all activity within the international institution of Muslim scholars. We will resume this activity only once clear, clear and precise apologies are made by the person concerned (Raïssouni) or his outright resignation from this responsibility," said the president of the AOMA, Abderrazak Guessoum, on the national radio channel 3 on Sunday, August 21. Also, he called "all Muslim scholars" to support his "thesis" and to side with his association, "to demand the departure" of the Moroccan preacher from the head of the UIOM.

In a recent statement, Ahmed Raïssouni stated that the Moroccan people are ready to march on Laayoune and Tindouf. "He is ready to stay there for whole weeks. [...] Morocco must become again as before the European colonization, of which Mauritania was not a part," he added. These remarks continue to provoke reactions in Algeria but also in Mauritania.