In spite of the continued decision by Algerian authorities to sever diplomatic ties and close their airspace to Moroccan aircraft since 2021, Morocco has appointed Ibrahim Bah as the new General Consul in the city of Oran. This action is taken amidst the ongoing discord, a unilateral move by Algeria following developments in the Sahara dossier, particularly after the field intervention of the Royal Armed Forces in Guerguerat.
According to a statement by the Moroccan Foreign Ministry, this appointment comes as part of the transition process for 2023 for the staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans residing abroad. After the call for nominations, a total of 23 new general consuls have been appointed in several countries. This amounts to 38% of all consular posts, raising the total number of general consulates of the Kingdom from 28 in 2022 to 37 this year.
The ministry states that 39% of the appointed general consuls are women, holding significant consular positions especially in the United States, Canada, and Italy. 22% of the filled positions were allocated to general consuls who excelled in their mission to hold important or strategic consular positions.
Out of all the new appointments, 78% have accumulated experience in consular positions, and 22% in other diplomatic fields. Reflecting the value of the consular sector, this transition witnessed the appointment of directors and a former director in central administration in the position of general consul, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement.
Despite the severe diplomatic crisis between the two countries, Moroccan King Mohammed VI had expressed his condolences on the death of former Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. He sent a “condolence and sympathy” message to Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune following Bouteflika’s death, who passed away on a Saturday at the age of 84.
