Algerian TV Accuses Morocco of Fomenting Sectarian Clashes in Ghardaia

Rabat - In what appears to be an attempt by the Algerian authorities to divert people's attention from the real issues that are facing the country, Algerian Television Annahar said an “investigation” launched into the violent clashes in the oasis city of Ghardaia has “revealed that Morocco is behind the ethnically motivated attacks between Arab and Amazigh communities,” which left at least 22 people dead.

Annahar TV, which is believed to act as an arm of the Algerian intelligence apparatus, claims that Morocco is “involved in the creation of a movement that declares its support for the autonomy of the Amazigh Mozabites community in Ghardaia,” 600 km to the south of the capital Algiers.

According to Annahar, “the investigation conducted by security services has found that King Mohammed VI of Morocco offered to provide financial and logistical assistance to separatists in the region in order to encourage the Ghardaia Amazigh population to call for autonomy.”

It further claims that "Mohammed VI promised to promote the Mozabites autonomist movement in international Human Rights forums."

The same source alleged that Ahmed Assid, a Moroccan Amazigh activist and a member of the Royal Institute of the Amazigh Culture (IRCAM), had arranged a meeting between Kamal Fakhar, the leader of the Mozabite Autonomy Movement and King Mohammed VI's advisor on cultural affairs.

The Algerian television went on to claim that "the so-called Ahmed Assid, who calls for normalizing relations with the Zionist entity, helped Kamal Fakhar to integrate the Mozabite Autonomy Movement in the so-called International Coalition of Democratic Forces, which is based in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq  and headed by a well-known Zionist lobby."

Following the deadly clashes in Ghardaia and two nearby cities –Guerrara and Berianne- Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika convened an emergency meeting on Wednesday.

"The situation is very serious," one Mozabite leader told Agence France Press (AFP). "This is not just clashes any more, it's terrorism."

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