In a selective stance in accepting offers, Morocco has declined the humanitarian aid extended by its neighboring country, Algeria, to assist in dealing with the aftermath of a recent devastating earthquake, as confirmed by the Algerian Foreign Ministry.
On Tuesday, the Algerian Foreign Ministry released a statement revealing that Rabat had officially conveyed to the Algerian Consul in Casablanca that it no longer required humanitarian aid from Algeria.
This response comes after a brief controversy that unfolded on Monday when Algerian authorities initially announced their intention to mobilize three military aircraft, laden with humanitarian aid and personnel, to support Morocco in coping with the aftermath of a deadly earthquake that struck the country on Friday night.
Subsequently, Algerian media outlets published photographs of the aircraft, suggesting their imminent departure from Boufarik military airport to Morocco. Reports also included statements from Algerian Civil Defense personnel, indicating their readiness to head to Morocco.
The decision by Algiers to dispatch aid aircraft to Morocco coincided with comments made by Moroccan Justice Minister, Abdellatif Ouahbi, who had reportedly stated on the Al-Arabiya channel that Morocco was accepting Algerian aid. However, Moroccan media later quoted a source close to the Justice Minister, asserting that his statements had been misinterpreted.
Clarifying the situation, the source from the Moroccan Justice Ministry explained that while the Minister initially accepted all offers of assistance to Morocco, it was contingent upon coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Furthermore, the Minister denied having engaged in any direct communication with Algerian officials.
These developments are noteworthy against the backdrop of the strained diplomatic relations between Algeria and Morocco, marked by a two-year-old severance of ties and the closure of Algerian airspace to Rabat.
By xamse
September 13, 2023
