Algeria cuts diplomatic relations with Morocco over ‘hostile actions’
Algerian Foreign Minister Ramdane Lamamra said his government is cutting diplomatic relations with Morocco, accusing it of “hostile actions”.
“Algeria has decided to cut diplomatic relations with the Kingdom of Morocco from today,” Lamamra said at a news conference on Tuesday.
“The Moroccan kingdom has never stopped its hostile actions against Algeria,” he added.
The cutting of diplomatic relations is effective from Tuesday but consulates in each country will remain open, Lamamra noted.
Lamamra also accused Morocco of using Israeli-made Pegasus spyware against its officials, supporting a separatist group and failing in bilateral commitments, including on the Western Sahara issue.
“Algeria will remain firm in its positions on the issue of Western Sahara,” Lamamra said.
Last December, the United States recognised Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara in return for Rabat normalizing its relations with the occupation state of ‘Israel’.
Algeria also objected to reported remarks by Morocco’s U.N. ambassador in mid-July and comments by Israel’s foreign minister during a historic visit to Morocco as part of the countries’ normalization of ties.
Last week, Algeria also said lethal wildfires were the work of two groups it has labelled terrorists, including the Movement for Self-determination of Kabylie (MAK) which seeks independence for the Kabylie region and which Algeria said was backed by Morocco.
The forest fires in Algeria, which broke out on August 9 amid a blistering heatwave, burned tens of thousands of hectares of forest and killed at least 90 people, including more than 30 soldiers.
Algeria recalled its ambassador last month after a Moroccan diplomat in New York called for the Kabylie people to have the right of self-determination.
Morocco’s Foreign Ministry, however, said in a statement published on social media that it regretted what it called it an unjustified and absurd decision and that it would remain a “credible and loyal partner” to the Algerian people.
