Morocco and Azerbaïdjan reiterated their firm stands against separatism as they both continue to struggle against separatist militias funded and armed by neighboring countries. Morocco managed to neutralize the Algeria-based Polisario separatist front, after the UN brokered 1991 ceasefire agreement, while Azerbaïdjan claims a quarter of its territory is under the occupation of the self-proclaimed Nagorno Karabakh state. As Morocco and Azerbaijan continue to urge a negotiated solution under their national sovereignty, the two countries have joined efforts in their battle against separatism. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaïdjan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaïdjan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

Source: The North Africa Journal March 05, 2018 17:37 UTC