The King of Morocco Mohammed VI reiterated "once again" his outstretched hand to Algeria, despite the breakdown of relations between the two Maghreb neighbors, during the traditional speech marking the anniversary of his accession to the throne.

"We aspire to work with the Algerian presidency so that Morocco and Algeria can work, hand in hand, to establish normal relations between two brotherly peoples," the sovereign said in a radio and television address to the nation. Saturday July 30.

"I emphasize once again that the borders which separate the Moroccan people and the brotherly Algerian people will never be barriers preventing their interaction and understanding", he underlined, urging Moroccans to "preserve the spirit fraternity, solidarity and good neighborliness towards our Algerian brothers".

Last year, he had already chosen to address Algerian opinion, in the midst of a crisis with Algiers.

Diplomatic relations severed in August 2021

Mohammed VI pledged to "find a way out of the current situation and to promote rapprochement and understanding between the two peoples".

Algeria severed diplomatic relations with Morocco in August 2021, accusing Rabat of "hostile acts".

A decision "completely unjustified", according to Rabat.

The main dispute between the two Maghreb heavyweights concerns the disputed territory of Western Sahara.

The status of this former Spanish colony, considered a "non-autonomous territory" by the UN, has pitted Morocco against the Sahrawi separatists of the Polisario Front, supported by Algiers, since the 1970s.

Rabat, which controls nearly 80% of this territory, advocates an autonomy plan under its sovereignty.

The Polisario calls for a self-determination referendum under the aegis of the UN.

>> To read - With the rupture of relations between Algeria and Morocco, the Maghreb is permanently "fractured"

In addition, Algeria, a supporter of the Palestinian cause, does not miss an opportunity to castigate the growing cooperation, particularly military, of Morocco with the "Zionist entity" (Israel).

Referring to "the allegations that Moroccans insult Algeria and Algerians", the Cherifian monarch considered that they are the result of "irresponsible individuals who strive to sow discord between the two brotherly peoples".

"These gossip about Moroccan-Algerian relations is totally senseless and sincerely appalling," he insisted.

In the rest of his speech with a strong socio-economic tone, Mohammed VI set the national priorities: the reform of the family code in favor of women's rights, social protection, price control - in an international situation of tensions inflationary -, and vaccination to combat Covid-19.

Reform king, Mohammed VI, 58, has ruled Morocco since July 1999, when he succeeded his father, Hassan II.

With AFP

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