A new diplomatic crisis has arisen between Algeria and Morocco. And even though it’s not very serious, it is still somewhat significant. On 19 June, Algiers decided to recall – with immediate effect – Abelmahid Abdaoui, the ambassador in Rabat. The Ministère des Affaires Etrangères et de la Communauté Nationale à l’Étranger (Ministry of the Foreign Affairs and of the National Community Abroad) also issued a statement declaring the country may take further action. He did not provide any additional details.
This is not the first time that an ambassador has been recalled. In October 2017, Morocco ordered Hassan Abdelkhalek, its diplomatic representative in Algeria, to return home, following remarks made by Abdelkader Messahel – the former head of Algerian diplomacy – during a business forum in Algiers.
The Messahel precedent
Referring to Moroccan investments in Africa, Messahel had said:
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