Morocco calls for land border with Algeria to be reopened

24/03/2008

Morocco called recently for Algeria to re-open the countries' shared border for the first time in 14 years. Algerian officials welcomed Morocco's invitation to normalise relations, but said a global approach is needed to resolve issues such as Western Sahara.

By Sarah Touahri in Casablanca and Nazim Fethi in Algiers – 24/03/08

[File] Morocco and Algeria both commented publicly on the possibility of re-opening the two countries' common border. Negotiations on the issue seem to centre upon resolving the status of Western Sahara.

Two days after both countries concluded the latest round of talks in New York with the Polisario Front over Western Sahara, Morocco called for the opening of its shared border with Algeria and the normalisation of relations between the two nations.

A communiqué issued on Thursday (March 20th) by the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: "The Kingdom of Morocco reiterates its willingness to open a new page in the relationship between the two neighbouring countries, taking into account their common past and shared destiny." The ministry added, however, that some of Algeria's "statements have indicated that finding a definitive solution to the question of the Moroccan Sahara is a prerequisite."

The border between the two countries was closed in 1994 when Morocco accused Algeria of involvement in a Marrakech hotel shooting and then decided to impose visa restrictions on Algerian nationals. Although visa requirements were later lifted by both countries, the border was not reopened. Rabat believes that the regional and international context in which the decision to close the border was originally taken no longer applies.

Algeria, meanwhile, has repeatedly said the border would remain closed until the two countries agree upon a "package of deals", including a solution to the Western Sahara conflict. But when asked at the beginning of March whether he would consider re-opening the shared border, Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika told Reuters that such a move was desirable in view of what he called the "ties of sisterhood which go back a long way in the history of both countries".

To Moroccan officials, the closed border between the two countries is contrary to the aspirations of the people of the Maghreb and detrimental to peace and development within the region. Speaking Thursday night on the Al Hurra network, foreign minister Taib Fassi Fihri said, "Now more than ever we need co-ordination, economic integration, an open border and political consultations regarding security and the other risks the region faces. We hope that the two countries will be able to overcome obstacles such as the Saharan question."

Algerian Interior Minister Noureddine Yazid Zerhouni welcomed Morocco's call to re-open the common border but said a global approach is needed to address the issue. "The Maghreb is not limited to Morocco and Algeria. All the peoples who find themselves in this group should have their place," he told APS on Saturday (March 22nd).

Moroccan international relations professor Mohamed Madidi agreed that regional unity is critical, especially for economic growth and the campaign against terrorism. "Only by forgetting all its differences can the Arab Maghreb become strong and tackle the threats it faces. Morocco and Algeria need to enter into serious dialogue on a number of issues, beginning with the Western Sahara, for which a solution needs to be found imminently," he told Magharebia.

Many Moroccans citizens are also keen to see a united Maghreb. IT specialist Mounir Malih hopes that Algerian officials will realise the time of separation is over and focus on ways of building a stable future for the people of the Maghreb.

An open land border will be beneficial to both countries, said teacher Asmaa Batteoui, provided that monitoring is in place to tackle arms and drug trafficking, which feed terrorist activity in the Maghreb.

"On top of that, at the human level," she added, "mixed Moroccan-Algerian families will be able to see each other again and will no longer be separated by a closed border."