Morocco mobilises to help after Algiers attacks
2007-12-12
From average citizens to high-ranking officials, Moroccans roundly condemned Tuesday's attacks in Algiers. They see the tragedy as a call for Morocco and Algeria to co-ordinate counter-terrorism efforts.
By Sarah Touahri for Magharebia in Rabat – 12/12/07
 [Getty Images] King Mohammed VI said terrorism is "alien to the religion and culture of the people in the region and condemned by both religion and the law". |
Moroccans have roundly condemned the double terrorist attack which struck Algiers on Tuesday (December 11th). Immediately following the event, King Mohammed VI sent a message of sympathy to Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and reiterated his total support for Algeria's efforts to eradicate terrorism and all who support it.
The Moroccan head of state said his country remains willing to help Algeria deal with the scourge which, he said, is "alien to the religion and culture of the people in the region and condemned by both religion and the law."
The threat of terrorism continues to hang over the region, particularly the Sahel, where organised crime and terrorism have seen a resurgence. The area has become a breeding ground for al-Qaeda after the former Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC) announced that it would be joining forces with the terrorist network and adopting terrorism plans for all countries in the region. The Moroccan government says co-operation between the Maghreb countries is therefore essential to fighting terrorism.
Justice and Development Party representative Lahcen Daoudi spoke to Magharebia of his complete condemnation of the terrorist attacks in Algiers. "An attack which targets innocent people is to be condemned in the strongest terms. Co-operation between the two countries is essential to serve the interests of both peoples," he said.
National Secretary of the Front of Democratic Forces Thami El Khyari agreed, saying the attacks are a call for Moroccans and Algerians to co-ordinate efforts to counter the scourge and guarantee stability for their people.
Average citizens also expressed sympathy for their Algerian neighbours. With one voice, they spoke out against the terrorist onslaught in recent years.
Charaf Mohammed, an engineer and trade unionist, said he was "astonished, like all Moroccans and North Africans, to see people like us blowing themselves up to kill innocent human beings." He said the solution lies in greater democracy for the countries of the Maghreb: "Neither terrorism nor repression will turn the Maghreb into a region of prosperity and peace."
Chourouk Maâtaoui, a teacher, said it is time for Morocco and Algeria to forget their differences and to make the fight against terrorism a shared top priority and to destroy the curse of terrorism from the roots up. "Co-operation between the two countries on this issue is not enough. Without Maghreb states combining their efforts, this curse will continue to claim further innocent victims," he said.
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Anonymous Posted 2007-12-12
this is a good iniative from the king of Morocco to show support to Algerian who dont usually do the same !!
احمد من الجزائر Posted 2007-12-13
Yes, it's time for Morocco and Algeria to forget their differences and join the fight against terrorism, given the close geographic position, besides the threat to the two countries is similarso there should be cooperation and union.
Anonymous Posted 2007-12-13
It's high time for Morocco and Algeria to forget their differences and make terrorism and defeating its curses part of the prioritites of the two governments. Co-operation.
gamnette Posted 2007-12-13
My dear Maghreb brothers from Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya, let's be united against terrorism and separators of brothers like the Polisario and others, let's be one hand, we're Muslims and Arabs and even people of the Book because we have a neighbourhood relationship.
موسى بن موسى Posted 2007-12-14
I thank everyone working on this site and I wish you success.
gol Posted 2007-12-15
Morocco is mobilising to give its help to Algeria after these attacks, but, during the attacks in Casablanca, did Algeria mobilise to give help to Morocco? No, of course not… not to even mention the fact that Morocco supported Algeria in its independence and Algeria is the only country in the world mobilised for the division of Morocco. When are we going to put an end to this cycle of anarchy?
RZIG A. Posted 2007-12-15
Look at what is happening here: people are exploding themselves to kill innocents. Let us try to find a solution to what is separating us and united our efforts to face this plague coming at us from afar. Our strength lies most certainly in the union our people hope for. This is the sole means to fighting against any form of extremism. -A word to the wise.
Atlas_wolf Posted 2007-12-17
The people of the Maghreb are united, but what they lack is a union of the countries’ leaders.
karim Posted 2007-12-18
Hello Magharebia, This sad escalation in violence has resulted in bullets being lost on innocents just before Eid. The Algerian government has not always taken a real account of these furiously fanatic crazies. The Imams preach hatred in Mosques only a few metres from the ministries: everyone knows it, everyone denounces it, but no one does anything about it. It is imperative that the countries of the Maghreb unite to combat these brutes, these anarchists disguising themselves behind beards and djellabas. And, I would like to respond to those mugs by saying that it is not with this “they are not us but other people” or “what are they doing for us” that our debate will move forward. Algeria did give support to Morocco during the preceding attacks. The leaders made it known, the press spoke about it and the co-operation of the Anti-Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat is proof of it. In any case, and this is my personal point of view, the brutes are collapsing and this is probably their last “cartridge” of hope.
kamel Posted 2007-12-19
I do not see how a union could resolve the problem of terrorism. I only see how Morocco is trying to soften (or bait) Algeria for the Sahara and to be able to come and work here. Algeria does not need Morocco, nor any other country. This is our crap to clean up and we will solve our problems ourselves. Morocco has neither the skill nor the means to help us, save for talking too much.
salut Posted 2007-12-19
I do not see my comment.
kamel Posted 2007-12-19
Hello to the team at Magharebia, I just responded to the article but my comment was not published. Is there some type of selection process or another motive because I definitely respected the website’s “conditions of use”. I am hoping for a favourable response. You have my sincerest respects.
samir Posted 2007-12-21
Hi our Arab brothers, let’s be united against terrorism, unity is power. We Arabs need this union. We’re Muslims, so let’s be all united to fight terrorism and know where does the principle of terrorism come from America the mother of terrorism it exploits our weakness, where are you Arabs, where are you Islam, where are you.
gol Posted 2007-12-21
Mr. Kamel, Morocco no longer needs Algeria for employment, which in itself is an exaggeration; it should be called slavery given the pseudo-wages paid in Algerian dinars. Once exchanged into euros, it amounts to peanuts you can only buy potatoes with. Furthermore, “the best charity begins with yourself.” All the more so when we see the number of Algerians living under the poverty line while all the oil money belongs to the country’s elites. The fact that Algeria has been suffering from terrorism for over a decade without a single country in the world making an effort proves the degree to which the country represents nothing to the world, save when it comes to terrorism or Polisario separatists… in other words, only negative things.
kamel Posted 2007-12-21
I think that those who have conducted the bombings are right because the government doesn't pay any attention to the people who suffer from poverty and marginalization. Yes to the bombing of the unjust government!
seif Posted 2007-12-21
Algeria + Morocco always together, I'm Algerian and I love Morocco because they're men like the Algerians.
BEN Posted 2007-12-22
It’s true!!! Algeria is a neighbour that is very delicate when it comes to co-operation in the good meaning of the word. It goes back to a tumultuous colonial history that still leaves its contours ingrained in the memories of the veteran Mujaheddins. Morocco understands this and has never profited from those historical opportune moments to try to fix its frontier problems prior to Algeria completely recovering its sovereignty and independence. Its current president understands Morocco well and vice versa as he lived there during his militancy and left but good memories of a great and experienced patriot. We believe that the matter with the Sahara will get solved normally with him. But, when one analyses the power structure in Algeria, it is understandable why things remain in this state. That is to say: the Sahara is more of an interior political affair in Algeria than an issue of decolonisation. But time presses forward and the world changes. Hassan II predicted all this well, having in essence said that a time would come when Algeria would no longer be able to master the Sahara issue. And, here, we have terrorism, which should not exist between brother peoples, benefiting from this dissent in order to consolidate its power in the entire region. It is time now for unity and unification, before this abyssal wave is unleashed. Is there still time? That is the question! The errors on the part of the leaders indeed have grave consequences for the current and future generations. It is time to react and change our lenses; we must really take into account that we are in a time of globalisation obliging use to overcome ourselves and try to make up for lost time. The peoples of the Maghreb are advanced; the problems is that their leaders are not following them.
anonymous Posted 2007-12-23
iam atonished of some reactions from some morocans that are so hostile to algeria even in an event that just need to be condmned ,but unfortunately i see some morocans trying to give lessons on anything except the mean issue wich is terrorism .to the few morrocans who are criticizing the algerian governmant i just want to tell them we will never change our system to a monarchy .
MAHMOUD Posted 2007-12-28
Let's forget the Algerian-Moroccan disputes, join efforts to fight terrorism that bears death with all means and methods. Let's always and forever remember that we're brothers.
jawad el 3arabi,, Posted 2008-01-02
What happened are Arab hands which are trying to play with Algeria, all the Arab rulers don't have one policy in this field, we will defend this dear nation, long live Algeria, and long live Algeria, long live Bouteflika, the Arab leader without rival.
reda Posted 2008-01-06
Reda, the forces behind the bombings on 11 December 2007 are condemned.
Anonymous Posted 2008-01-06
This is a very good initiative from the Moroccan king to show support to Algerians who don't usually do the same.
boubou Posted 2008-01-07
We Algerians are ready and still ready to face our internal problems. We don’t expect any assistance or interference from Morocco or anyone other than Morocco. We offered a million and half a million martyrs and a hundred thousand martyrs during the black decade. And we will offer more; long live Algeria and the Algerian people.
جزائرية Posted 2008-01-10
Thanks to the Moroccan people. It's time to forget all differences between us. We're facing the same threat. May God have mercy on all our martyrs. With the will of God we will defeat them.
YAZID Posted 2008-01-14
I don't know my brother if you're talking about reality or just saying nonsense. Long live Morocco.
salma Posted 2008-01-15
What is happening nowadays is truly catastrophic. Everyone is in need of help.
hajji Posted 2008-01-18
The problem is the problem of government and rulers corruption. The problem doesn’t lie in the people, we (Moroccans) bear no hatred to the Algerian people. But if only, if only the rulers were to follow the example of the people. But if the people want to live one day, destiny will certainly respond.
دادي Posted 2008-01-18
A big thank to Morocco and its king on one condition: these words emanate from the heart.
algero-marocain Posted 2008-01-22
Beware my Moroccan and Algerian brothers, the Polisario is trying to sow discord between you through the medium of this website and others. They take sides either with the Algerians or with the Moroccans in order to get you to insult one another and widen the gap between you. Indeed, they have succeeded in doing so for years.
KADER-ORAN- Posted 2008-01-24
To be honest and frank, your compassion and help is not deserved: it should be said that, with regards to the Sahara, our leaders are putting sticks in your spokes. Please, remember that it is not the Algerian people doing this!!!
hamid khalafi Posted 2008-01-25
Ah ha! This is a worldwide problem, especially in Africa.
gol Posted 2008-01-26
Algeria’s leaders are putting sticks in Morocco’s spokes not just with regards to the question of the Sahara, as you said Kader Oran, but with regards to everything else as well. When the conflict over the Spanish islands was going on, Algeria was the only country against Morocco. Even though Bouteflika was born in Morocco, did his studies in Morocco and got his papers to escape to France from Morocco, today he speaks the language of his war party as if we were traitors. He is more of a traitor as he is the one doing the murdering.
سلطان فريد Posted 2008-02-01
The king of Morocco has nothing to do with internal affairs of Algeria. I tell him that the one who interferes with things which don’t concern him, will hear things he won’t appreciate.
Habib Posted 2008-02-04
Hello Everybody, To discuss this problem means entering into the highest of political spheres and speaking of the grand tycoons of finances and all their international political mischief. I will let you decide for yourself by pointing you towards a NATO declaration recently posted on the Internet about the Moroccan Sahara. I will let you decide how the Polisario was created and by whom it was created: the father of the president of the clan of separatists was none other a soldier in Royal Army Forces and his brother was a doctor who was proud to be Moroccan. So, as for the Sahrawi origin of the Polisario, it is only the latter’s manipulative spittle. And, I will finally let you judge for yourself what has happened during His Majesty’s, Mohammed VI’s reign under this light. As a matter of consequence, the people about whom you have been speaking—the Polisario—have to maintain this tension as well as the thousands of people who are being sequestered just for their demagogic rhetoric and their purely peculiar interests. Tell me, where has the $128 billion that came from oil going up to $100 a barrel gone? To conclude, it is the both of these two peoples who are victims of this mistreatment. The sons of the Algerian people continue to be first and foremost victims and their Moroccan counterparts are in the same boat. Those who are benefiting off this are the very ones who are getting kickbacks on the over-armament of this new government, the very ones who are trying to change Article 74 of the constitutions and the very ones who support the Polisario under the pretext that Morocco might attack, the same Morocco that has helped them and continue to want to help them. –Algero-Marocain 2
Anonymous Posted 2008-02-05
We know that the Western Sahara is Moroccan: we learned it in school when we were young. They told us: “This is the Moroccan Sahara, occupied by Spain.” Go ask your history professors about this.
رياض Posted 2008-02-07
It was Morocco that was supporting the GIA group from 94 to 2001, this a confirmed information my brothers, God is my witness to this.
amine Posted 2008-02-10
Frankly, this is not our problem. I would not pay attention to Algeria if I were in King Mohammed VI’s place. I would not help a person from Algeria. I am a 14-year-old Moroccan guy.
Anonymous Posted 2008-02-14
Thank you very much.
جزائري خير من مليون مغربي Posted 2008-02-14
In reply to the stupid, there are a number of stupid animals. Some Moroccans who ignore politics, namely the stupid policy of stealing people's right to freedom and difference from the Islamic nation and its celebrations. Is this the attitude of courageous Moroccans? If we don't consider you a Muslim we would have left you, you who eats the flesh of your masters.
dargon maroc Posted 2008-02-17
Salam alaikoum Maghreb brothers by Maghreb I mean North Africa; they are one nation, but colonisation divided them and made them separate. So I tell you brothers that we are all brothers and that the traitors have caused our separation. We of the Maghreb don’t hate any people of the world except for oppressors. Anyway, my Algerian brothers and neighbours, with my respects to you- except for one who said an Algerian is better than a million Moroccans, find new words for expression because you're not up to the required level. No we have not yet gained autonomy.
youssef Posted 2008-02-20
I am for justice. Terrorism harms innocents- instead of blowing up oppressors, they blow up innocents.
احمدي الهاشمي Posted 2008-02-20
The Western Sahara recalls the black eighteenth day of February, which witnessed the atrocity of the Moroccan regime against the Sahraoui people. The day on which thousands of people who moved to the region of Oum Driga were raided. They were raided by the Moroccan occupation army with different types of destructive weapons including napalum, white phosphor, and grape bombs. Let’s stand in respect and memory of the souls of those who died under this raid and destruction, and to the Sahraoui mothers who endured the hardships, difficulties and suffering caused by the movement of the Rabat regime onto our territory. Let’s stand in respect for and esteem of the women who resisted and remained steady against all forms of oppression, tyranny and hard conditions for one reason, to achieve the will of this great people. On the national day of the mother, we greet all Sahraoui mothers in all parts of the national territory and abroad, wish for more resistance and endurance to establish the right and achieve the aim which is national independence.
هشام Posted 2008-02-20
History has shown us that the free and honourable man not revolting, insurgent or confronting unless he has lived in the era of tyranny, and was subject to an attempt to keep him like a blind servant, he doesn’t think, doesn’t believe in his existence. Moreover, he is deprived of the ideal values of humanity which enter within the global framework initiated by the French and Bolshevik revolutions with this idea until the latter settles most foundations of movements and even regimes based on respecting the different opinion, facing feudalism, occupational and expansionist capitalism. We understand pretty well that revolutionary movement didn’t rise from nothing, and didn’t use the religious or demagogic discourse to tame the minds of the public aiming to reach power with a political programme having a religious characteristic for example in order to encompass the intellectual and ideological void in the Arabic street in particular, the revolutionary movements have simply raised the slogan of liberating man from all backward chains and base thought excluding the other. And after liberating man comes the phase of the land. It is naïve to say that revolutionary movements,
nizar Posted 2008-02-24
In my opinion, terrorism is in fact the non-acceptance of our God. But, you notice that our country does nothing to help our poor men, so what is one to do?
kamel09 Posted 2008-02-29
Machallah, all Arabs know how to speak well, Moroccans and Algerians, if we were Muslims and believers, we wouldn’t have spoken in this way. May God guide us all. We don’t want help, we want you to take care of your country, that’s all. Thank you.
morad Posted 2008-03-05
By God if they implement 50% of the European Union, we would have been a united power for the good and serving the nation.
said+maroc=lov Posted 2008-03-23
Long live Morocco- long live Morocco!
benyahya de mzab Posted 2009-07-09
Salam to everyone who is Settati, Mezbi or from Chaouia and Ouardigha, what have you done to you? We are immigrants. Our fathers worked for the Maghreb, then you took our resources and took our father. He died in France. You closed borders in his face. Your father killed Lekhribgi. Needless to say the name. And you are still going on in this. We know everything about you. Sahara is not Moroccan. Give to Sousse people their land. We want Chaouia Ouardigha to become a republic not a monarchy. 38 millions you take would be better spent in the country, you who don't have relatives in ...Italy.
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