Following his much-publicised recall from Nigeria after
the phone call spat, the Ambassador of Morocco, Mr.
Mustapha Cherqaoui has quietly returned to Nigeria
with a plan for both countries to attempt to repair the
strained diplomatic ties.
THISDAY could not confirm the exact day he returned
to Nigeria, but it was just before the elections which
started on March 28, 2015.
A source told THISDAY that both countries would set
up meetings to discuss how to work out the differences
leading to his recall after Rabat said it snubbed
President Goodluck Jonathan's attempt to speak with
King Mohammed IV of Morocco.
Rabat had said the phone call was snubbed because it
was an attempt to curry favour with Nigeria's Muslim
electorate in the presidential elections.
Nigeria's Foreign Ministry in early March, had issued a
statement insisting that Jonathan spoke with the king,
an announcement which Morocco claimed was
unethical, consequently recalling their Ambassador for
'consultations'.
Nigeria's relationship with Morocco has remained
frosty with Nigeria's recognition of the Republic of
Western Saharawi, a part of which Morocco has
continued to annex as its colony.
But sources in the foreign ministry had told THISDAY
that the phone took take place, and that Nigeria was
trying to lobby Morocco, alongside Algeria and Egypt
to support the candidacy of Nigeria's Minister of
Agriculture, Mr. Akinwumi Adeshina as President of the
African Development Bank.
Nigerian Special Envoy for the purpose was Vice
President Namadi Sambo, who first went to Algeria, a
move that might also have angered Morocco whose
relations with Algeria remain frosty over the latter's
support for the Saharawis.
The sources had explained that the Moroccan
monarch did not have any influence on Nigerian
Muslims, and it would be useless to 'seek his
blessings' on such matter.
In a twist, the Presidency had released a statement
denying that the conversation took place and set up a
committee headed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Ambassador Aminu Wali, to investigate the source of
the 'misinformation.'
Whether the committee sat at anytime, or whatever its
findings are, remain unclear.
Nigeria in 1984 had recognised Western Saharawi,
leading to its admission into the then Organisation of
African Unity. Membership of Saharawi in now African
Union led to Morocco withdrawing in protest,
consequently, Morocco is not a member of the union.
Morocco is also miffed at what it said is the ill-
treatment of Palestine by Nigeria at the UN Draft
resolution on the Israeli Palestine issue in January this
year.
Attempts to reach the Director of Protocol, Ambassador
Usman Baraya, whose office is supposed to receive a
note verbale from Cherqaoui informing of his return,
failed. THISDAY gathered that Baraya has left the
country to resume as Nigeria's Charge d'affaires in
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
When contacted,the Spokesman of the Foreign
Ministry, Mr. Amedu Ogbole Ode, said he was not
aware of the return of the Moroccan Ambassador.
Source: Thisday

Terrorist country

DickDastardly:
Terrorist country

Oponu.

GEJ has lost so they are back

omenka:
Oponu.

If no be say christ rise this morning i for ....... Omenka go to church for once

DickDastardly:

If no be say christ rise this morning i for ....... Omenka go to church for once

I nor dey try in this regard sha.

DickDastardly:
Terrorist country

Arindin

They whole world including myself just ganged up against the man GEJ.. GEJ stood no chance

Change has indeed come to Nigeria

I still don't get this thing, how could Morocco have helped GEJ's re-election bid? It doesn't just appeal to commonsense. What influence does Morocco have over muslims in Nigeria? Morocco is even not a leader in the muslim world or Africa. Egypt, Algeria and Sudan have more influence among African muslims.

Story story _______. Once upon a time _____ _____. Meanwhile don't miss out on our Easter giveaway promo price for MTN data. Check d image & my signature below for more info

Why did he sneak in? Is he a thief?

Nonsense.

Ok