Morocco Recalls Ambassador to Germany, Berlin Seeks Explanation Amid Diplomatic Crisis

According to sources within the German Foreign Ministry, the German government "was surprised by the recall, for consultations, of the Moroccan ambassador to Berlin and has requested explanations," reports the Europa Press agency. Berlin "does not understand the reproaches made against it," add the same sources, stating that Angela Merkel’s country has committed to "resolve this diplomatic crisis in a constructive manner".

On Thursday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Residing Abroad issued a press release to announce the recall, for consultations, of the kingdom’s ambassador to Berlin. The reasons? "The Federal Republic of Germany has multiplied hostile acts and actions detrimental to the supreme interests of the Kingdom of Morocco," the statement explained. Morocco blames Germany for its "negative attitude" on the Sahara issue, as well as its "continued obsession... to combat the regional role" of the kingdom, "particularly on the Libyan file".

In early March, Nasser Bourita, Moroccan Foreign Minister, had sent an official letter to the head and members of the government, calling on them to suspend "any contact, interaction or action both with its embassy in Rabat and with the German cooperation agencies and political foundations due to the deep misunderstandings with the Federal Republic of Germany on the fundamental issues of the kingdom". Since then, relations have remained tense between the two countries.