Therefore, at a time when the Moroccan-Algerian relations see some improvements that bring about the hope of a normalization in particular through the exchange of visits between delegations to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in various fields, the President Bouteflika decided to opt for a provocative speech against Morocco's showing his support to the separatist Polisario Front .

This speech unequivocally shows the true position of Algeria and its foreign policy on the Sahara issue. Algeria has claims, in the words of its leaders that it has no influence in this conflict.

Bouteflika 's speech is " an act of direct provocation to the territorial integrity of Morocco," said the president of the North African Centre for Security Studies and Policy Analysis , Abderrahim Manar Slimi , noting that Algeria has now chosen to mobilize solemnly governments of the African Union against Morocco.

In a statement to MAP, Slimi , also a professor of political science at the Faculty of Law, Economic and Social Sciences of Rabat- Agdal , said that the speech excerpts which were broadcast by the Algerian press agency , as the official agency, reflects that Algeria is the only stakeholder to the conflict in the Sahara .

The Algerian president went too far in his new provocation calling for the expansion of the MINURSO mandate to monitor human rights in the southern provinces , attempting to reopen a closed case by security Council through Resolution 2099 , which makes no reference to the change of the prerogatives of the UN mission , but rather welcomes the steps taken by Morocco to the promotion of human rights which is a recognition of the efforts and initiatives launched under the leadership of King Mohammed VI.

This same resolution refers , by cons , to the issue of population census of Tindouf that Algeria continues to refuse.

The Resolution also gives prominence to the Moroccan autonomy initiative as credible and serious meaning that the theses of the Algerian President relating to self-determination is now regarded by the international community as outdated and unrealistic options, he says.

The Speech from the Algerian president in Abuja is therefore a provocation not only with regard to Morocco but the entire international community which has continued to make considerable efforts in the framework of the United Nations to achieve a mutually acceptable solution to the conflict especially as the region faces a number of threats including terrorism and organized crime, especially in the absence of the hegemony of the state in some areas like Tindouf on Algerian soil.

For Manar Slimi, the timing chosen by the Algerian President is not innocent and is explained by several factors, including the internal situation in Algeria forcing the regime to do everything to divert attention from the catastrophic scenario facing the country. This provocative release comes at a time when Bouteflika announced his candidacy to run for another term as president.

Faced with this situation , Bouteflika has chosen to export the internal crisis in Algeria by mentioning the Tindouf camps issue and addressing Morocco.

The scholar also explains this position through the crisis on the borders with Tunisia and its failure with Mali and Algeria’s misconduct of housing on its soil for terrorist groups such as the group of Mokhtar Belmokhtar , while Morocco supports Bamako in particular through its expertise in the areas of equipment, services and supervision of the religious field, expertise lacking Algeria despite oil.

This provocative speech is also explained by the headlong rush of Algeria who refuses to comply with the 2099 resolution calling for a census of the population in the Tindouf camps , says Manar Slimi , who wanted to draw attention to internal strife in Algeria ( between Bouteflika and intelligence services ) , which could encourage Algerian leaders to further fund separatists even if to undermine the stability of neighboring countries.

According to the scholar , the Moroccan authorities must firmly respond to Algerian provocations, especially as President Bouteflika seeks by all means a fourth term , even if this may blow out the whole Maghreb region.

- News and events on Western Sahara issue/ Corcas -