DR ‹ › The Secretary-General of Morocco's Justice and Development Party (PJD), Abdelilah Benkirane, on Sunday addressed what he described as «post-Chengriha Algeria», calling on the country's future leadership to open a new chapter in relations with Morocco. Speaking at a gathering in Fez marking the 82nd anniversary of the presentation of the Independence Manifesto (January 11, 1944), Benkirane criticized the current Algerian leadership, saying that those in power believe «any conflict with Morocco serves Algeria's interests». He argued that this political approach has become «outdated», at a time when, he said, «people are being abducted from inside their own homes», a reference he linked to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces. Benkirane also pointed to U.S. President Donald Trump's annexationist ambitions targeting Greenland and Canada, warning that the international context calls for greater regional cohesion. «In such circumstances, we are in dire need of solidarity and unity», he said. «I am not saying we should live within the same state, but at the very least, we need to align our policies, particularly on foreign affairs and defense». The PJD leader further urged Algerian authorities to reopen the land borders, closed since 1994. Stressing that he is «neither a supporter of discord nor of a coup in Algeria», Benkirane expressed hope that a future Algerian leadership, after General Saïd Chengriha would move to normalize relations with Morocco and neighboring countries, adding that Algeria currently faces strained ties with several of them.
