Former Tunisian President Marzouki Backs Morocco in Western Sahara Dispute, Criticizes Algeria

For Moncef Marzouki, elected after Ben Ali by the Islamists of the Ennahda movement, and first Tunisian head of state post-revolution, Algeria played a negative role in the Jasmine revolution in 2010-2011, putting an end to the Ben Ali regime. In an interview with the satellite television channel Al Khaleej, Moncef Marzouki said that "the Algerian authorities fought the Tunisian revolution and were hostile to it during its early years. What the Tunisian revolution endured from Algeria is no less than what the Emiratis made it suffer, even if it was in a different way".

Although no one has wanted to openly criticize the great Algerian neighbor on this subject, this is not the first time that the former Tunisian president, known for his relations with Morocco and his Qatari friendships, has attacked the Algerian power. In this recent interview, Mr. Marzouki accused Algeria of being an obstacle to "Maghreb building". This statement touched a sensitive point of the Algerian power, which demanded and obtained explanations.

In this sense, the Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs immediately reacted by stating that "the excellent relations with Algeria cannot be disturbed by unofficial positions, which in no way commit Tunisia and only represent their authors". Moreover, the heart of Marzouki’s former "ally", the Islamist movement Ennahda, beats for Algeria.

Through a statement, Ennahda expressed its "rejection" of Marzouki’s statements, which it describes as "offensive" towards Algeria, "hasty", "irresponsible" and "counterproductive". Moreover, Tunis is well aware that nothing can be undertaken without Algeria’s opinion.