King Mohammed VI Calls for Reopening Borders with Algeria in Throne Speech

"We pray to the Almighty for a return to normal and the reopening of the borders between our two neighboring countries and our two brotherly peoples," the sovereign wished on the occasion of the traditional speech marking the anniversary of his accession to the throne. The closure of the borders between the two countries dates back to 1994. At the time, Rabat had accused Algiers of complicity in an Islamist attack carried out in Marrakech and decided to impose a visa on Algerian nationals. Reacting to these accusations, the Algerian regime had ordered the closure of the border, thus blocking the exports of Moroccan products to Algeria. Since then, the two countries no longer maintain good relations. In August 2021, Algiers unilaterally decided to sever its diplomatic relations with Rabat, accusing its neighbor of "hostile acts". The Sahara issue and the Morocco-Israel and Morocco-United Arab Emirates alliances remain the points of friction between these two neighboring countries.

The wish of King Mohammed VI is the warming of relations between Rabat and Algiers. In the speech, he once again tried to reassure the Algerian authorities of his good faith. "We reassure our brothers in Algeria, their leadership and their people that they will never have to fear any ill will from Morocco," the sovereign assured. And he insisted: "We also confirm to them all the value we attach to the ties of affection and friendship, to the exchanges and interactions between our two peoples."