logo
Boulos visit to Algiers draws response from MSP, silence from Polisario

Boulos visit to Algiers draws response from MSP, silence from Polisario

Ya Biladi2 days ago
Massad Boulos, senior advisor to U.S. President Donald Trump on African affairs, made a high-level visit to Algeria on July 26 and 27. In Algiers, he was accompanied by Joshua Harris, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs.
While the American delegation did not publicly address the Western Sahara issue following meetings with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, the Sahrawi Movement for Peace (MSP) welcomed U.S. involvement in efforts to resolve the conflict. «The MSP welcomes the United States' engagement in seeking a solution to the Western Sahara conflict», Hach Ahmed Bericalla, the MSP's secretary-general, told Yabiladi.
«From his first term, President Trump has emphasized that achieving peace and stability in North Africa hinges on reconciliation between the two principal regional powers, Morocco and Algeria. The MSP appreciates the U.S.'s dedication to finding a peaceful, just, and lasting resolution to the conflict, as well as the potential role they can play as guarantors of this solution», he added.
«We responded to this visit because the MSP represents a third way. We aim for a peaceful resolution to this issue and maintain independence in our decisions».
Meanwhile, the Polisario Front chose to remain silent. Media outlets affiliated with the group merely relayed an Algerian Press Service (APS) dispatch covering the meeting between Massad Boulos and Algeria's Foreign Minister, Ahmed Attaf.
In the aftermath of the visit by Trump's special advisor for Africa, the Polisario's general secretariat met on Monday, July 28, to «review internal and external issues».
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

King Mohammed VI Marks 26 Years of Reform, Global Leadership
King Mohammed VI Marks 26 Years of Reform, Global Leadership

Morocco World

time2 days ago

  • Morocco World

King Mohammed VI Marks 26 Years of Reform, Global Leadership

Rabat — Twenty-six years ago today, King Mohammed VI became the 23rd monarch of Morocco's Alaouite dynasty. He ascended the throne on July 30, 1999, not only inheriting power but also inheriting and advancing a vision of modernity, inclusion, and national strength. From the beginning, the King championed major social initiatives. In 2004, he reformed the Family Code, known as the Mudawana, granting women greater rights and gender equality. In late 2024 and early 2025, King Mohammed VI took direct leadership of Morocco's comprehensive reforms to the country's Family Code, guiding a process described as both balanced and holistic. He personally chaired royal working sessions in Casablanca, where he instructed the government to align proposed changes with Islamic precepts while responding to modern social realities. King Mohammed VI's vision framed the reform as a social project reinforcing the family unit, rather than a narrow women's rights agenda, stressing inclusive consultation — bringing together ulemas, civil society actors, and government authorities — to ensure the revision promotes justice and solidarity across the family structure. In 2005, the King launched the National Initiative for Human Development (INDH), targeting poverty and social exclusion through community-focused programs in health, education, and income support. His Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity, founded in 1999, has since disbursed over MAD 3.3 billion ($ 365.524 million) to support vulnerable groups and disaster relief. The King also oversaw an infrastructure boom. Morocco now boasts Africa's longest high-speed rail line, Al Boraq, linking Casablanca, Rabat, Kenitra, and Tangier at speeds up to 320 km/h, making it the continent's first HSR network. The road network has expanded from 1,800 km of highways toward an expected 3,000 km by 2030, helping the country rank second in African infrastructure after South Africa. Flagship projects like the Tanger-Med port and the Mohammed VI Tower in Salé further reflect modern urban development. Green energy and economic diversification King Mohammed VI pressed Morocco toward renewable energy, raising its national target from 42% to 52% of installed capacity by 2030, and pushing ahead with the massive Ouarzazate solar complex. During Throne Day celebrations in July 2023, the King commended OCP Group's green energy initiatives, linking sustainability to industrial resilience. Under his leadership, Morocco built a competitive industrial base. Programs like the Emergence Plan and National Pact for Industrial Emergence powered growth in automotive, aeronautics, and electronics. Investments in tourism, agriculture, and digital innovation strengthened the national economy and helped position Morocco as a regional hub. Democratic reform and cultural recognition In response to the Arab Spring, King Mohammed VI revised the 2011 constitution. The update reduced royal power, boosted parliamentary authority, stressed gender equality, and cemented good governance principles. That year, he also recognized Amazigh (Berber) identity by establishing the Royal Institute of Amazigh Culture in 2001 and committing to its inclusion in education and media. Pan-African diplomacy and global influence Morocco's foreign policy under Mohammed VI has been proactive and panoramic. The country rejoined the African Union in 2017 and forged new 'South–South' partnerships across sub-Saharan Africa. The annual International Africa Development Forum in Casablanca, launched in 2010, reflects Morocco's growing role as a continental investment hub. In June 2025, King Mohammed VI urged African leaders at the 'Africa for the Ocean' summit in Nice to take charge of maritime resources, indicating that oceans as key to sustainable development and security. Western Sahara: sovereignty and recognition The King's diplomatic efforts have dramatically shifted the Western Sahara narrative. His 2007 Autonomy Plan envisions self-governance for the region under Moroccan sovereignty. Ever since, the UN Security Council has described the plan as 'serious and credible.' In 2020, the US formally recognized Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara, while France followed in July 2024, offering similar endorsement and pledging €10 billion in regional investment. Just this week, Portugal also backed the plan, calling it a 'serious and credible basis' for settlement. Religious tolerance and security cooperation The King has positioned Morocco as a leading advocate for religious moderation. He backed the 2016 Marrakech Declaration promoting interfaith harmony and actively funds imam training programs across the Sahel to combat extremism. In 2022–23, Morocco and the UN launched the Marrakech Platform to coordinate regional counter-terrorism efforts. 25 years later: legacy of progress and promise King Mohammed VI has turned Morocco into a model of reform: modern infrastructure, a green-energy economy, democratic strides, cultural recognition, and cross-continental diplomacy. His leadership has raised Morocco's regional profile — stabilizing, prosperous, and inclusive. Still, pressures from climate stress and socio-economic disparity remain. As Morocco approaches its next phase, the King's commitment to sustainable development and international partnership will prove critical in steering the nation forward. Tags: King Mohammed VIKing's legacyKing's Throne Day

Boulos visit to Algiers draws response from MSP, silence from Polisario
Boulos visit to Algiers draws response from MSP, silence from Polisario

Ya Biladi

time2 days ago

  • Ya Biladi

Boulos visit to Algiers draws response from MSP, silence from Polisario

Massad Boulos, senior advisor to U.S. President Donald Trump on African affairs, made a high-level visit to Algeria on July 26 and 27. In Algiers, he was accompanied by Joshua Harris, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs. While the American delegation did not publicly address the Western Sahara issue following meetings with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, the Sahrawi Movement for Peace (MSP) welcomed U.S. involvement in efforts to resolve the conflict. «The MSP welcomes the United States' engagement in seeking a solution to the Western Sahara conflict», Hach Ahmed Bericalla, the MSP's secretary-general, told Yabiladi. «From his first term, President Trump has emphasized that achieving peace and stability in North Africa hinges on reconciliation between the two principal regional powers, Morocco and Algeria. The MSP appreciates the U.S.'s dedication to finding a peaceful, just, and lasting resolution to the conflict, as well as the potential role they can play as guarantors of this solution», he added. «We responded to this visit because the MSP represents a third way. We aim for a peaceful resolution to this issue and maintain independence in our decisions». Meanwhile, the Polisario Front chose to remain silent. Media outlets affiliated with the group merely relayed an Algerian Press Service (APS) dispatch covering the meeting between Massad Boulos and Algeria's Foreign Minister, Ahmed Attaf. In the aftermath of the visit by Trump's special advisor for Africa, the Polisario's general secretariat met on Monday, July 28, to «review internal and external issues».

Under HM the King's Leadership, Morocco Accomplished Significant Achievements in Several Fields
Under HM the King's Leadership, Morocco Accomplished Significant Achievements in Several Fields

Maroc

time3 days ago

  • Maroc

Under HM the King's Leadership, Morocco Accomplished Significant Achievements in Several Fields

Under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Morocco accomplished significant and major achievements in several fields, Speaker of the Gabonese National Assembly, Jean-François Ndongou, said. In a statement to MAP on the occasion of the glorious Throne Day, Ndongou underlined that since the accession of His Majesty the King to the Throne, Morocco has experienced development across the board and achieved remarkable achievements, pointing out that the Sovereign engaged an ambitious policy of structural reforms aiming to turn the Kingdom into a key regional, continental and international actor. 'Morocco's development under the leadership of HM the King is truly remarkable. We are proud of what Morocco has achieved in all areas,' he said, noting that this development is particularly evident in the economic, agricultural, energy, social, sports, and cultural sectors, as well as in infrastructure. Morocco has modern rail, road, and port infrastructure that is among the best in Africa, explained Ndongou, highlighting the modernization of the rail network, particularly the high-speed line, the first of its kind in Africa. For the Gabonese official, one of the main examples of the progress made by the Kingdom is the Tanger Med Port, which has become one of the best port infrastructures in the world. 'This logistics hub contributes greatly to the intensification of cooperation between African countries in the port sector,' he said. Ndongou also praised the pioneering royal initiatives for the development of the African continent, notably the Royal Initiative to promote access for Sahel countries to the Atlantic Ocean, as well as the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline Project, which he said demonstrates the Kingdom's firm commitment to stability, progress, and prosperity in Africa. MAP: 28 July 2025

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store