Nasser Bourita, Moroccan Foreign Minister, told Jeune Afrique that “His Majesty the King had instructed me to let it be known that he will go to the Algiers summit and that he encouraged other countries to do the same,” adding that “for the moment His Majesty is observing, following the course of events, and will decide when the time comes if the conditions for his participation are met.”
Jeune Afrique states that rumors circulating that Nasser Bourita returned earlier than expected to Rabat were debunked since he is still in Algiers. Nasser Bourita told Jeune Afrique that Rabat has no intention of conducting the empty chair policy, and the Moroccan delegation will be present for the end of the ministerial preparation on October 30th and 31st.
The same source also revealed details of the first day of the Moroccan delegation’s arrival to Algiers to participate in the summit, calling it an “eventful” day. Jeune Afrique reported that, after they arrived at the hotel, the minister’s entourage noticed the curious behavior of the Algerian guard assigned to them. It was discovered, after consulting his phone, that he was recording and was immediately removed.
Jeune Afrique stated that, on Saturday evening, the minister was informed that he would be placed at the end of the table during the official dinner, between his Omani and Comorian counterparts. The same source states this is “a vexatious placement which does not correspond to any Arabic or French alphabetical order, and which forces the minister to take his meal in his room.”