Former Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki has reacted to recent developments concerning the Sahara issue and Morocco–Algeria relations. Writing on his Facebook account on Monday, the Tunisian politician said that «the time has come for a historic reconciliation between brothers», referring to Rabat and Algiers, which severed diplomatic ties in 2021. «The time has come to move beyond the obstacle of the Sahara dispute», he added. His remarks come as the UN Security Council adopted a resolution backing Morocco's Autonomy Plan for the Sahara as the basis for upcoming negotiations between the parties involved : Morocco, Algeria, the Polisario Front, and Mauritania. Marzouki's comments follow reports of a U.S.-brokered peace initiative between Morocco and Algeria. A long-time advocate of Maghreb unity, Marzouki said that reconciliation between Morocco and Algeria would «bring the Maghreb Union out of the intensive care unit». He also stressed that «the time has come for Maghreb citizens to enjoy within their shared space the five freedoms that are both citizens' rights and states' duties: freedom of movement, freedom of residence, freedom to work, freedom to own property, and freedom to participate in local elections». Shortly after the UNSC vote on Friday, King Mohammed VI, in an address to the nation, called on President Abdelmadjid Tebboune for a «brotherly and sincere dialogue», to «lay the foundations for new relations based on trust, fraternity, and good neighborliness».
