Makhzen Doggedly Continues To Morocco’s Scuttle Algeria’s Peace Efforts

Morocco’s Makhzen activated anew its scuttling machine to undermine Algeria’s steadfast efforts and initiatives to resolve the ongoing crisis in Mali, through attempts to prod some of the internal parties in neighboring Mali to sow suspicion and launch unfounded allegations regarding the pseudo presence of members of the People’s National Army ANP inside Malian territory.

In this respect, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) on Monday in a statement, issued a “formal” denial to certain “tendentious allegations” made by some Malian parties and picked up by some Malian media, stating an alleged presence of elements of the National People’s Army (ANP) in the Malian border town of In Khalil.

“Following certain allegations made by Malian parties and picked up by some Malian media, mentioning an alleged presence of elements of the National People’s Army in the Malian border town of In Khalil and that part of the Malian territory has been annexed by the Algerian Army, the Ministry of National Defense wishes to formally deny these malicious allegations,” the same source said.

In this regard, the MND stressed that “these allegations follow a technical mission conducted by experts from the Geographic and Remote Sensing Service of the National People’s Army accompanied by a security and protection detachment and within the national territory to carry out verification work on the pillars of the Algerian-Malian border line and near the Malian border town of In Khalil, and that this technical mission completed its work on 21 September 2020 before leaving the premises without recording any incident”.

“It should be pointed out that Algeria, which has always ensured the security of its national borders, particularly in the shadow of the climate of instability prevailing in the Sahel region, reiterates its total commitment to respecting the sovereignty of States and the principle of the inviolability of borders, particularly with a brotherly country, Mali, in accordance with the provisions of the Boundary Agreement of 8 May 1983 signed between the two neighboring countries, and also reaffirms its commitment to establishing the principles of good neighborliness’ and to provide aid and assistance to neighboring countries when the need is felt,” the communiqué concluded.

It is widely known that Algeria has succeeded in settling numerous international issues through sustained mediation efforts, and has remained faithful to its principles and is still struggling with its unflagging diplomatic efforts to help establish peace and stability in neighboring countries such as Libya and Mali.