It’s official: Algeria has closed diplomatic relations with Morocco. We are at the highest point of crisis between the two countries since the 1970s: Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra said that the historic decision was taken to support Morocco for Israel to obtain the status of “observer” at the ‘African Union. The situation is tense but, for now, the consular services will remain open to citizens of both sides.
Israel, Lapid in Morocco: “Historical visit, we will encourage economic and political relations”
by Sharon Nizza
But that’s not all: the minister said Algeria also has evidence of Moroccan cooperation with two terrorist organizations accused of having triggered – during an extraordinary heat wave – deadly fires that destroyed forests and killed 90 people.
Among other points of the clash is the fact that Algeria has provided a home for years to a movement in search of independence in the Western Sahara region, fully claimed by Morocco. An agreement that allows Algeria to transport gas to Europe via Morocco.
The reaction was immediate: “Algeria’s decision to interrupt diplomatic relations with Morocco is completely unjustified”. The government of Rabat says this, rejecting “the false, even absurd pretexts that underlie them”.
“Morocco regrets this completely unjustified but expected decision, given the logic of escalation observed in recent weeks”.
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