ALGIERS, Aug 24 (Reuters) – Algeria cut off diplomatic relations with Morocco on Tuesday, citing what it called “hostile actions” by its most populous neighbor with which it has maintained relations for decades.
Speaking at a press conference in Algiers, Foreign Minister Ramdane Lamamra accused Morocco of using Pegasus spyware against its officials, supporting a separatist group and failing “bilateral commitments”, including the issue of Western Sahara.
“The Moroccan kingdom has never stopped its hostile actions against Algeria,” he said, announcing the immediate cessation of ties. Consulates in each country, however, will remain open, he said.
The Moroccan Foreign Ministry was not immediately available for comment, but King Mohammed publicly called for better relations with Algeria, even in a speech last month.
Although the border between the two North African powers has been closed since 1994, they have maintained diplomatic relations since 1988, when they were re-established after a previous dispute.
Morocco has said for years that it wants to reopen the border. Algeria has said it must remain closed for security reasons.
Last week, Algeria said the deadly forest fires were the work of two groups it has labeled terrorists, including the MAK group seeking independence from the Kabylia region and that Algeria said it was backed by Morocco, without presenting tests.
Last month Algeria recalled its ambassador after a Moroccan diplomat in New York demanded that the people of Kabylia have the right to self-determination.
Morocco offered to send aid to fight the fires, but there was no public response from Algeria.
Relations have deteriorated since last year, when the problem of Western Sahara spread after years of comparative calm. Morocco considers the disputed territory as its own. Algeria supports the Polisario independence movement.
The Polisario said in November that it was resuming its armed struggle. In December, the United States recognized Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara in exchange for Rabat improving its relations with Israel.
Morocco has called Algeria “the real party” in the Western Sahara dispute.
“Algeria will stand firm in its positions on the issue of Western Sahara,” Lamamra said.
He also accused Morocco of using Pegasus spyware for espionage against “several” Algerian officials. Morocco has denied ownership of the software.
Report by Hamid Ould Ahmed, additional report by Ahmed El Jechtimi, written by Angus McDowall, edited by Catherine Evans and Mark Heinrich
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