Moroccan-German Diplomatic Crisis, What’s Wrong?

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates has just cut off all communication between the government of Morocco and Germany; the Saharan matter and a spy case would be at the heart of the diplomatic crisis.

Solemnly, the Ministry urges Head of Government and ministers to “suspend all contact with the German embassy in Morocco”, through a document signed by Nasser Bourita on Monday, March 1st.

“Because of deep misunderstandings with the Federal Republic of Germany on the subject of fundamental matters related to the Kingdom of Morocco, ministerial departments and all bodies which come under their supervision, are requested to kindly suspend all contact, interaction, or cooperative action, in any case or in any form, both with the German Embassy in Morocco and with the German cooperation organizations and political foundations linked to it.”

“Any exemption from this suspension can only be done on the basis of a prior agreement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” said the same source, announcing that the ministry has already suspended all contact or approach with the diplomatic representation of Berlin in Rabat.

In the document in question, Bourita did not specify reasons behind this order. In fact, he was content only to evoke “deep misunderstandings with Germany over fundamental matters related to the Kingdom of Morocco”. Regarding Moroccan Sahara however, the kingdom is aware of Berlin’s “not very enthusiastic” position, draped behind the consecrated diplomatic formula of “just, lasting and acceptable political solution between the two parties under the auspices of the United Nations”.

This position was reiterated by the German Federal Foreign Office, in a statement released on December 14th, following Trump’s recognition of the Moroccan character of the Sahara, expressing disapproval. Moreover, it was on Germany’s initiative that the UN Security Council held a closed-door meeting on December 21st to examine the Saharan matter.