Moroccan-Algerian relations: the risks of isolation
The change in position of Algeria concerning its relations with Morocco may reflect an awareness on the part of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika of the risk of isolation of his country because of political changes in the Maghreb region, speculates the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), in its February monthly report on February on Morocco.
Source : https://www.marocafrik.com/english/Moroccan-Algeri...
Explaining these changes, the EIU cites the rise to power in Morocco and Tunisia of democratically elected Islamist parties and the fall of the regime of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi in Libya.
New Islamist parties, generally adopting the same principles as the Party of Justice and Development Party (PJD), will play a role in the parliamentary elections scheduled next May in Algeria, the EIU says.
The think tank points to the visit in January by the Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Saad El Dine Otmani. During this visit, the first of a Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs in Algeria for almost nine years, El Otmani was received by President Bouteflika, the EIU recalls, noting that the Algerian Minister Delegate in charge of Maghreb Affairs and African Affairs Abdelkader Messahel, told reporters that the visit of Mr. El Otmani in Algeria took place in the context of confidence-building measures between the two neighbors.
Concerning opening of the Algerian Moroccan borders between the two countries closed for several years, the Algerian official indicated that a solution could be found to this problem in one day, says the EIU, noting that the statement represents a clear change clear in Algerian diplomatic language concerning the opening of the border .
New Islamist parties, generally adopting the same principles as the Party of Justice and Development Party (PJD), will play a role in the parliamentary elections scheduled next May in Algeria, the EIU says.
The think tank points to the visit in January by the Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Saad El Dine Otmani. During this visit, the first of a Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs in Algeria for almost nine years, El Otmani was received by President Bouteflika, the EIU recalls, noting that the Algerian Minister Delegate in charge of Maghreb Affairs and African Affairs Abdelkader Messahel, told reporters that the visit of Mr. El Otmani in Algeria took place in the context of confidence-building measures between the two neighbors.
Concerning opening of the Algerian Moroccan borders between the two countries closed for several years, the Algerian official indicated that a solution could be found to this problem in one day, says the EIU, noting that the statement represents a clear change clear in Algerian diplomatic language concerning the opening of the border .
Source : https://www.marocafrik.com/english/Moroccan-Algeri...