03/08/2021
19483 times read
03/08/2021
19483 times read
“MOROCCO and Algeria are more than just neighboring countries; they are twins complementing one another.” This fact was reaffirmed by the Moroccan King Mohammed VI in his 22nd Throne Day speech, which represents a road map to resolve a crisis that should not have existed for this long.
This is due to the fact that the features of the relationship between the two nations were not shaken by the grey clouds that fell in the skies of these two brotherly countries. They deliberately united their destiny in blood from the start of the Algerian revolution in 1954 from the Moroccan city of Agadir, until it culminated in 1962 with the historic Algerian victory over the French colonizer.
This twin-destiny was supposed to turn into an integration, but the toxic winds that blew from international and regional sides sought to abort Maghreb liberation when they planted mines in the way of their countries that led to tensions during the past decades that did not serve the people of both nations.
Among the bright pages in Arab history is the effort exerted by the late King Hassan II to correct the Maghreb path through his initiative to declare the Arab Maghreb Union in 1988, which culminated in the Marrakesh Declaration in 1989, making this gathering an effective force in the Arab world after the Gulf Cooperation Council.
However, the usual ploys of the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi led to the paralysis of the union.
Once again, King Mohammed VI reopened the doors for a sound relationship between the two brotherly countries, saying, “We reiterate our sincere call to our brothers in Algeria for us to work together, without conditions, for the development of the bilateral relations based on trust, dialogue and good neighborliness. We are not satisfied with the current state of our relations, as it neither serves our peoples’ interests nor is it acceptable to many countries.” By this, he defined a fraternal framework that cannot be deviated from brothers if there was will.
There is no doubt that the five countries in the Arab Maghreb Union — Mauritania, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya — constitute a major economic power regionally, and an active Arab and African union, in the event that this system is reactivated. Therefore, opening the borders between Morocco and Algeria, which constitute about 75 percent of the economy of the union, represents a qualitative leap in the process of integration among all member states.
In this regard, the blessed King Mohammed VI, entrusted with his wisdom, was clear and transparent in describing the problem and laying the foundations for its solution. Therefore, Algeria must reciprocate positively, especially at this stage that requires unity in the face of difficult challenges.
In order to tie the loose ends to block demons of sabotage from having their way, King Mohammed VI was frank to the fullest extent when he said, “I believe that the security and stability of Algeria and the tranquility of its people are inseparable from the security and stability of Morocco, and vice versa. What affects Morocco will also affect Algeria, because the two countries are like one body.”
It goes without saying that this body must be like what the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “The believers in their mutual kindness, compassion and sympathy are just like one body. When one of the limbs suffers, the whole body responds to it with wakefulness and fever.” Unity of destiny is a requirement needed by all of the Maghreb nations.
There is no doubt that the Algerian people, who are tired of being estranged from their brothers, were pleased with this historic speech, which interpreted the feelings of all Moroccans.
By Ahmed Al-Jarallah
Editor-in-Chief, the Arab Times