In a recent news article about Morocco King Mohammed VI's recent address to mark the 43rd anniversary of the "Green March," the Maghreb Arabe Press drew extensively from the perspective of UNE Vice President for Global Affairs Anouar Majid, Ph.D.
The address occurred on the anniversary of the mass mobilization that saw more than 300,000 Moroccans move to occupy the then-Spanish-occupied portion of the Western Sahara to demonstrate their support for its annexation. Looking back at the deep distrust that has existed between Algeria and Morocco ever since, the Moroccan King called for "direct and frank dialogue" between the two countries.
The article extensively quotes Majid, who endorses the notion that the present is an opportune time to end the riff that has existed between the two neighbors since their respective independence movements. Majid describes the King's entreaty as "a golden opportunity for Algerian leaders to come up with ideas to break the deadlock that plagues the future of entire generations in Algeria and the Maghreb."
Majid frames the stalemate between the two nations as a "relic of the Cold War," and praises the Moroccan King for extending an olive branch. "Like his august ancestors," Majid explains, "His Majesty King Mohammed VI voluntarily extended a hand of peace and friendship to the Algerian neighbor, and reminded the leaders of Algeria and his people that it is inconceivable that the two sister nations share the same language, the same religion and a parallel history of struggle against colonialism, and yet remain divided and separated, much to the chagrin of the peoples of both countries and the Greater Maghreb as a whole."
