Despite official statements from Tunis and Rabat, the Western Sahara issue managed to spoil the king’s first visit to Tunis since Ben Ali was toppled in 2011. It is understood that President Moncif Merzouki’s question why the Maghreb Union project continues to stumble was decoded by Mohamed VI as an implicit criticism of Morocco’s share of responsibility in the issue. The king reportedly considered shortening his official visit before protocols on both sides managed to mend fences. Nevertheless, the absence of President Merzouki at the King’s speech before the Constituent Assembly was hard to mask. The signing of 23 cooperation agreements saved the visit. Tunisian press close to the Begi Caid Sebsi camp chose, however, to ignore this matter and explained that the king’s visit was an effort to enlist Merzouki’s help in clamping down on Ennahda, in return for direct investment from the Gulf. This comes at a time when different political parties and ambitious politicians such as Nejib Echebi (Republican Party) are courting Ennahda for its support in the upcoming presidential election.
http://www.kapitalis.com/politique/22613-politique-mohammed-vi-en-tunisie-pour-contrer-ennahdha.html http://elwatan.com/une/les-verites-de-marzouki-irritent-mohammed-vi-02-06-2014-259562_108.php
