Massad Boulos, advisor for Africa and the Middle East to President Donald Trump, assured that "there are no secret negotiations" between Morocco and Algeria, contradicting the statements of Steve Wittkof, another advisor to the US president, who recently announced a "peace agreement" between the two countries within 60 days.
The Algerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Attaf, spoke about the recent adoption by the UN Security Council of a resolution on the Sahara in favor of Morocco, admitting that his country was "on the verge of voting" for this text.
Despite proposals from Spain and international partners, Algeria maintains its position and opposes the reopening of the Maghreb-Europe gas pipeline crossing Morocco to export its natural gas to Europe. A decision that reflects the depth of the diplomatic crisis between the two neighboring countries.
At the Moroccan Parliament, the Minister Delegate in charge of the Budget, Fouzi Lekjaa, responded to the criticism, particularly from the opposition, on the budget allocated to the construction of stadiums, notably on the issue of health and hospitals. He also points the finger at Algeria.
The Moroccan economy has experienced sustained growth in recent years, allowing the kingdom to invest massively in the modernization of its army. The defense budget for the year 2026 has increased by 18% compared to 2025.
Moroccans, Algerians, Tunisians, Libyans and Mauritanians represent the community with the most unemployed people in Belgium.
Massad Boulos, special advisor to the US president for Arab and African affairs, has reaffirmed the United States’ willingness to find a lasting solution to the Sahara issue. A solution that he believes will help resolve the dispute between Algeria and Morocco.
Washington is intensifying diplomatic pressure to reconcile Morocco and Algeria within a two-month timeframe. This American initiative, which aims to create a strategic partnership between the two neighbors, remains conditional on major concessions from Algiers and Rabat, particularly on the Sahara issue.
In a letter, Mohamed El Aâti Allah, president of the Association for the Defense of Moroccan Victims of Forced Displacement, asks the president of the National Human Rights Council to issue a recommendation on the forced and collective displacement of Moroccans from Algeria in 1975.
Wanted by Interpol, a Russian and a Franco-Algerian were arrested on Saturday at the Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca. They will soon be extradited to their respective countries.
Algeria is facing several setbacks as the adoption of the next Security Council resolution on the Sahara, on October 31, approaches.
Due to tensions with Algeria, Morocco is significantly increasing its military budget and continuing the modernization of its army.