Antiguos servicios de seguridad argelinos acusan a Marruecos de apoyar la secesión en la Kabilia
The publication on social networks of an alleged support by King Mohammed VI of Morocco for Farhat Mehenni, leader of the Movement for Independence in the Kabylia region of Algeria, has caused astonishment and unease in the entourage of the Moroccan government and the Moroccan monarch, as well as in several Western capitals, which are currently closely monitoring a possible option for dialogue between Rabat and Algiers to achieve a solution to the conflict in Western Sahara.
In the message posted on a bizarre Twitter account, Mehenni hailed the wisdom of Morocco and His Majesty King Mohammed VI, "whose support for our struggle for independence broke a lock and opened the door for other nations to recognise the tribal peoples in Algeria".
Moroccan sources point out that the attempt is a crude manoeuvre to distract attention from sensitive issues for a small power group in Algeria, both in the military and in the intelligence service, which in the new Algerian political situation will lose its power and influence, on the one hand, and, on the other, they intend to orchestrate a new operation with Morocco as the enemy to justify the lack of vaccines against the coronavirus that the Algerian state is suffering from due to its precarious economic situation.
The same sources claim that it is totally absurd to suggest that at a time when the US administration's decision has recognised Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara, the Moroccan government would commit an unacceptable interference that could affect the integrity and stability of its Maghreb neighbour and commit the incongruity of supporting separatist groups when Morocco has been fighting a separatist group such as the Polisario Front for 45 years.
Precisely, another argument for attempting this manœuvre of blaming Morocco for supporting the secession of Kabylia is the weakness of the Polisario after the failure of its action to blockade the border post of Guerguerat, between Mauritania and Morocco, and the scant support received for its strategy of attempting to return to armed confrontation as a way of cutting off the local and international dynamic of support for the Moroccan proposal of a broad autonomy for Western Sahara under Moroccan sovereignty. Moreover, within the UN, preparations are underway for the appointment of a new special envoy and the organisation of a new round of negotiations in Geneva between all parties involved in the conflict that could lay the foundations for a solution.
The new commanders of the Algerian army and the intelligence services are considering the option, which could be promoted by President Tebboune himself, of demonstrating a new willingness to negotiate and reach an agreement that would contribute to concentrating efforts and resources on the transition the country is undergoing following the new constitution and a new budget that could be used to tackle the delicate economic situation, which is one of the factors that is destabilising the country the most.
The serious damage caused by the coronavirus is not unrelated to the need for both Morocco and, above all, Algeria to put an end to a conflict that has been going on for too long, with thousands of Sahrawis in the Tindouf camps being held captive in very precarious conditions and young people being taken captive by terrorist groups in the Sahel for a little money. An understanding between Morocco and Algeria would mean the opening of the border with a direct benefit for thousands of families in both countries, increased trade and cooperation, and a union vis-à-vis third parties, such as the European Union, which would mean a clear strengthening of their positions from a political, economic-commercial and social point of view, with greater support for the control of irregular immigration and the fight against mafias.
The fight against the coronavirus is currently having a great influence on the political decisions to be taken in the two neighbouring North African countries. While Mohammed VI conveys the image of his vaccination and can announce that the Moroccan population can begin the immunisation process, in Algeria there are serious problems in gaining access to some of the vaccines, although all possible steps are being taken to remedy the situation.
Domestically, the Kabylia problem is real, but its dimensions have been kept in check by the authorities. Although some senior military commanders denounced the emergence of the independence movement after trying to accuse and link the leaders of the popular protests with the pro-independence movement, the hirak that has peacefully gathered thousands of people in the streets of all Algerian cities demanding a democratic transition and a civilian state to replace the military one inherited since independence.
The situation in Kabylia is intended to be used as a cover for those who want to maintain the status quo of recent years in the face of the changes demanded by Algerians with their massive street protests, now controlled by the coronavirus and the need to avoid crowds. Another main intention is to divert attention from Algeria's dire economic situation and food crisis, which is close to bankruptcy despite oil and gas.
Moroccan sources warn that the lies intended to create a new confrontation with Morocco in order to camouflage all the internal problems in Algeria are directly contradicted in the homes of many Algerian families who watch Moroccan television and can see a much better situation than the one they are enduring.