After several days of uncertainty and conflicting rumors, King Mohammed VI has officially decided not to attend the Arab League summit, which will be held in Algiers on November 1 and 2. On Sunday evening, October 30, Nasser Bourita, the Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs, formally informed the secretary general of the Arab League.
According to Jeune Afrique, the Moroccan group, which was in charge of organizing the king’s visit, departed Algiers on Monday, October 31, at 11 am; meanwhile, Nasser Bourita will represent Morocco at the summit.
There are several reasons for the non-arrival of the king, who had been among the first heads of state to announce his presence.
Firstly, Rabat believes that the Algerian authorities have reserved an undiplomatic treatment to Nasser Bourita and his delegation, which would not allow the king to make a serene and peaceful stay.
Secondly, Morocco also dislikes the persistence of attacks on it in the Algerian media.
Finally, according to the same sources, the absence of heads of state whom Rabat considers to be close to it (Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt …) also followed the same path.
As of Monday, Nasser Bourita is still in the capital city of Algeria. Though he has not yet met his counterpart Ramtane Lamamra, he is confident that Morocco “would fully engage” in the work of this summit.