Downturn in Moroccan-Saudi relations, here are factors!
BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS- The Morocco-Saudi relations, once regarded as strategic and privileged as the two kingdoms have historically been close and shared interest in preserving Arab monarchies, have been strained in recent years. A combination of factors has contributed to an unprecedented rift in their bilateral relations.
Indeed, the fissure between Rabat and Riyadh came to the fore when Morocco recalled its ambassador from Saudi Arabia. On the other hand, King Salman in 2018 chose to instead vacation in the nascent northwestern Saudi city of Neom. The move was widely interpreted as a clear indication of the level of apathy reached in the bilateral relationship and the mounting tensions.
In fact, numerous issues played a part in the lead-up to this, including Morocco’s decision, in Feb. 2019, to formally leave the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen and a recent Al Arabiya report on the Western Sahara conflict. The TV channel referred to Western Sahara per its official designation by the United Nations, namely Western Sahara. There is an ongoing and complex trenscient crisis between the two kingdoms.
Yemen war
Morocco was originally a member of the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, but it subsequently ended its military involvement. Noting that Rabat was significantly among the first countries to join the coalition in 2015. It sent F-16 fighter jets to support its ‘ally Saudi Arabia’. However, the rising civilian death toll and ongoing humanitarian disaster have fueled a growing outcry worldwide, and continued participation in the coalition comes with high moral, reputational, and strategic costs.
In this vein, Rabat’s chief diplomat, Nasser Bourita, voiced concerns about the humanitarian disaster in Yemen in an interview with Al Jazeera. Bourita said Morocco’s role in the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen changed as a result of “developments on the ground.”
Other sources of tension
These are not the only issues fueling Saudi-Moroccan tensions, however, many Moroccans expressed outrage at Saudi Arabia that voted against Rabat’s bid to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Riyadh’s support for the North American bid over Morocco’s was widely perceived as an insult and betrayal. Intriguingly, Qatar was among the few Arab countries that did support Morocco’s bid.
Furthermore, it was notable that the Saudi crown prince did not pay a visit to Morocco during his international tour in late 2018.
In addition, Rabat was also unsatisfied with Saudi Arabia’s rhetoric about the Western Sahara conflict. The Saudi support has shifted to low profile statements, made from time to time, and did not lend any political weight to the Moroccan position.
Later, the relationship between Morocco and Saudi Arabia showed low signs of improving after reaching a historical low point in recent years. However and more recently, a social media campaign has been launched in Saudi Arabia, calling for the expulsion of Moroccan women from the Asian country in protest at their provocative acts and behaviors.
A wind of anger blows over Saudi Arabia, or rather a cloud of rage that hovers over Saudis. Indeed, the hashtag #ترحيل_المغربيات_مطلب or ( #Deportation_of_Moroccan_women_is_a_request ) topped the trending list on Twitter in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The tweeters called for the deportation of Moroccan women from the Kingdom, as these women “attempt to harm Saudi society’s morals by spreading vice, in addition to their involvement in witchcraft-related practices and prostitution”.
How Morocco and Saudi Arabia’s leaders will deal with the contention affecting their relationship is unclear. It is premature to conclude that this will mean the end of their alliance and that the underlying causes are beyond repair or it is simply temporary friction.
