Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has subtly dismissed a Saudi initiative aimed at mending ties with Morocco, which have been strained since August 2021. «There are brothers, acting in good faith, who ask us to reopen the borders» with Morocco, Tebboune remarked during an address to high-ranking officials of the Algerian military. «The borders were not closed because of Western Sahara, but for other reasons. Out of the 63 years of independence, our borders have been closed for more than 45 years. We need to be realistic and stop inventing lies». Abdelmadjid Tebboune Tebboune's comments come amidst speculation about a renewed Saudi effort to mediate between Algeria and Morocco. On Monday, October 6, the Algerian president met with the Saudi ambassador to Algiers, Abdullah ben Nasser Al Bussairy, who conveyed a message from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Notably absent from this meeting was Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf. The subsequent day, King Mohammed VI held an audience with Prince Turki Ben Mohammed Ben Fahd Ben Abdulaziz Al Saud, Minister of State and member of the Saudi Council of Ministers, who delivered a «verbal message» from Mohammed bin Salman. It's important to note that President Tebboune has previously dismissed Arab mediation efforts. «No country can position itself as a mediator between Morocco and Algeria», he asserted in December 2022.
