Moroccan FM: “Closure of Algerian-Moroccan border overtaken by time”

The Moroccan foreign minister, Salahedine Mezouar has declared in a statement to the Qatari news channel “Al Jazeera” that the long drawn-out closure of the Algeria-Moroccan border has exceeded the time limits, while reiterating his country’s “good neighborly intentions” towards Algeria.

“Algeria is dealing with the logic of the border closure, which exceeds age.” Mezouar argued.

He added that international, regional and bilateral circumstances have changed since the border was closed.

The Moroccan foreign minister didn’t fail however to excoriate and call into question Algeria’s steadfast stance regarding the long-running Western Sahara issue opposing the Kingdom of Morocco and the Saharawi people’s representative namely the Polisario Front.

It has been many long years since Morocco began asking Algeria to open its borders. These requests have fallen on deaf ears up to now. The Algerian response has been firm and consistent. NO. As a matter of fact, Algeria set three clear-cut conditions to even start negotiating with Morocco.

These conditions are that Morocco must: 1. Put a stop to its protracted “smear campaign” in the Moroccan media against Algeria 2. Show true intentions to come up with a formula to fight the wanton and huge flow of drugs from Morocco into Algeria 3. Recognize Algeria’s unwavering position on the Western Sahara issue consisting in the legitimate right to self-determination for the Saharawi people through the holding of a just and fair self-determination referendum to test the will of the Saharawi people in line with relevant UN resolutions and international legality.

Besides, Political analysts say that Algeria is convinced that Morocco has nothing to offer it economically, and opening the borders will only serve Morocco’s vested interests.

Algeria has repeatedly said the border would remain closed until the two countries agree upon a “package of settlement deals”, including a just and lasting solution to the Western Sahara conflict.

The land border between Algeria and Morocco was closed in 1994 by Algiers, following Morocco’s unexpected decision to impose entry visa requirements on Algerian nationals.