Algerian Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia has stated that there are no upcoming chances of reopening Algeria’s border with Morocco. Both the countries have played the blame game, invested currency on defence, suffered loss in trade and above all, deleted communication with each other.
Several visits of top bureaucrats from both the countries into each others territories somehow proved promising to the North -African and the international platform about the re-opening of the border.
Taking a diplomatic stand, PM Ouyahia has stated that though the re-opening is not currently in the agenda, it would definitely happen someday.
Though, MoroccoBoard News Service quoted that Algerian daily ‘Voice of Oran’ had confirmed that the opening of the Morocco-Algerian border would take place on 2nd June.
‘15 years, 970 miles’
The border has been shut by Algeria in 1994 due to the imposition of entrance visa by Morocco against Algerians. The gun attack in Marrakesh, one of the most important imperial cities in Morocco’s history had caused turbulence in Morocco-Algeria relationship.
Hence, 23 new guard posts were set up with an official excuse to start checking on smuggling and illegal activities. In response to the ‘firm closure of the border’, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Chief had requested both the countries to keep their personal prejudices apart so that balkanisation of North Africa could be avoided.
Mohammed VI, the King of Morocco had stated that Algeria plans to fragment the Maghreb empire and cause disruption in trade.
Currently, the Maghreb empire includes Western Sahara, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya.
‘Financing Libya’
Algerian PM Ouyahia has stated that there is the need for growing faith and trust for the re-opening of the borders. However, he questioned the existence of such a scenario by complaining against some Moroccon official documents which have accussed Algeria of financially supporting the uprising in Libya.
Futher defending his country’s stand, PM Ouyahia stated that Algeria’s stand in the context of Libya falls in accordance with the rules of the African Union.
‘Sahara war’
The Algerian-Moroccon border has witnessed openings and closures for several times since 1962. One of the main reasons was the Sahara war. On one hand, Morocco, annexxed the Western Sahara which is a former Spanish Colony while on the other hand, Algeria has been advocating several independence movements in it.
Though, the implications of re-opening the Algeria-Morocco border would be of great advantage for re-establishing the trade and communication for Morocco. Its geo-political isolation would be curbed down. Though, Algerians have officially stated their severe disapointment regarding the 1994 case and demand apology.
Nevertheless, both the countries need to draft a strategic and administrative policy which would ease each other’s defense, trade and relations, leading to fostering the North African unity.
Credit: Photo for Algerian PM Ouyahia from Reuters
shubhdachaudhary 