King Mohammed VI Urges Reopening of Morocco-Algeria Border, Citing Outdated Closure Reasons

The reasons that led to the closure of the borders between Morocco and Algeria are "totally outdated and have no reason to exist today," said King Mohammed VI, adding that "between two neighboring countries and two brotherly peoples, the normal state of affairs, in Our intimate conviction, is that the borders be and remain open."

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The present situation is in contradiction with the Marrakech Treaty, the founding text of the Arab Maghreb Union, consecrating the free movement of persons, services, goods and capital between the member countries of the Union, noted the Sovereign, who, since 2008, has always condemned this state of affairs, not missing any opportunity to call for a new order. "Neither His Excellency, the current Algerian President, nor the former President, nor Myself are at the origin of this decision to close." "Before God, History and our fellow citizens, we are politically and morally responsible for the persistence of the status quo," the king continued, adding that "we see ourselves rather as brothers whom an intruding body has divided, when it has no place among us."

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King Mohammed VI took this opportunity to sweep away the idea that this opening of the borders would rather be a source of difficulties for the two countries. "In the age of communication and new technologies, no one can give credence to such speeches," the King argued, denouncing the untruths relayed by certain media that spread the idea that "poverty would be the lot of Moroccans whose means of subsistence would be limited to smuggling and drug trafficking."

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The closure of the borders has never succeeded in dividing the Algerian and Moroccan peoples. Proof of this, says the King, "the Algerian community residing in our country, Algerians in Europe and Algerians in Algeria who come to Morocco know what it is and do not allow themselves to be misled by these untruths."

"I reassure Our brothers in Algeria: you will never have to fear any malice from Morocco, which is in no way a danger or a threat to you. In fact, what affects you touches us and what reaches you overwhelms us," concluded the Sovereign.