Mohamed VI celebrates that Israel has recognized Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara

King Mohamed VI of Morocco congratulated tonight on Israel’s recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara in a television address to the nation on the occasion of the annual celebration of the Feast of the Throne, which commemorates its proclamation in 1999 It is the first time that the monarch publicly addresses this advance in Moroccan diplomacy which, as he announced, will be accompanied by the opening of consulates by different countries in the Saharawi cities of Dakhla and El Aaiún.

Mohamed VI attributed this diplomatic success to the “seriousness and legitimacy” of the Moroccan position, “which have given rise to the successive recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over its southern provinces, the last of which was the recognition expressed by the State of Israel, in addition to the opening of consulates in El Aaiún and Dakhla, and the increase in support for the autonomy initiative”, said the Moroccan king in reference to the Rabat plan for Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony and considered by the UN as a “non-autonomous territory”. Although both countries established diplomatic relations on an initiative of former US President Donald Trump more than two years ago, it was only a couple of weeks ago when Israel announced its assumption of the Moroccan position on the Sahara, a territory in dispute with the Polisario Front. .

The monarch did not specifically address relations with Spain, nor the situation in the country after last Sunday’s elections. However, he did praise the presentation of a tripartite candidacy to organize the 2030 World Cup together with Spain and Portugal. “This is an unprecedented candidacy, which unites two continents and two civilizations, Africa and Europe, and unites the two shores of the Mediterranean Sea, carrying the ambitions and aspirations of the peoples of the region to achieve greater cooperation, communication and understanding” , said.

Opening of borders

As usual, he dedicated a part of his speech to the complex relations with Algeria. Both countries broke off diplomatic relations two years ago, precisely because of the Sahara issue. In addition, both countries have kept their land borders closed since 1994. “Morocco will never be the source of any damage or harm,” said Mohamed VI. Although during his speeches the king often reaches out to his neighbor, rarely are his words followed by concrete action. “We implore Almighty God for everything to return to normal, and for the borders to be opened between our two neighboring and brother countries and peoples,” he said.

The monarch returned to Morocco in the spring after spending long months in his residences in Gabon and Paris. As in every celebration of the Feast of the Throne, the Moroccan monarch granted pardon to hundreds of prisoners or people on probation. This year there were 2,052.

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