Morocco’s King Mohammed VI celebrated his 26th Throne Day on Wednesday with a nationally televised address that emphasized economic resilience, industrial growth, and a renewed appeal for reconciliation with neighboring Algeria over the long-running dispute in Western Sahara. In his speech marking the anniversary of his accession to the throne in 1999, the 60-year-old monarch praised Morocco’s steady economic performance despite global and regional challenges. Beyond the economy, the king devoted a significant portion of his address to regional diplomacy—specifically, the simmering tensions with Algeria over the disputed territory of Western Sahara. The territory, home to around 600,000 people, has been contested since Spain’s withdrawal in 1975.
Morocco has proposed limited autonomy for the region under Moroccan sovereignty, a plan first introduced in 2007. While Algeria supports the Polisario Front, which seeks full independence, Rabat’s autonomy initiative has gained international traction in recent years. Countries including the United States, France, and the United Kingdom have endorsed it as a credible solution. “We are proud of the growing international support for the Autonomy Initiative as the only realistic basis for resolving the Moroccan Sahara issue,” King Mohammed VI said. “But we remain committed to a peaceful and consensual resolution—one that ensures dignity for all parties, without winners or losers.”
The king’s overture to Algeria marks the latest in a series of appeals for dialogue. Relations between the two countries have remained tense, with borders closed since 1994 and diplomatic ties formally severed by Algiers in 2021, citing “hostile acts” by Morocco. Despite the diplomatic freeze, Morocco continues to push for normalization, framing regional peace and economic integration as essential to stability in North Africa.
