What An International Shame ! UPDATE: Morocco recalls Ambassador from Nigeria over phone row with President Jonathan

Diplomatic relationship between Nigeria and Morocco worsened Tuesday as the North African country announced the immediate recall of its ambassador from Abuja, following a statement by the Nigerian government that the Moroccan monarch did not snub President Goodluck Jonathan as widely reported last week.

King Mohammed VI turned down a request by Mr. Jonathan for a telephone conversation and possibly, an invitation to Nigeria, describing the move as “inappropriate”.


The Moroccan Foreign Ministry said the request was a devious move by Mr. Jonathan to curry electoral favour than a genuine diplomatic move.

“The request by Nigerian authorities for a phone conversation between HM King Mohammed VI and Nigerian President was refused by the Monarch who deemed it inappropriate on grounds of the upcoming elections in Nigeria,” the statement, issued last week, read.

However, on Monday, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement refuting the claim of the Moroccans.

The Nigerian foreign ministry claimed that King Mohammed IV of Morocco spoke to President Jonathan from France where he had gone for a visit.

The office of Mohammed VI denied the king ever spoke to the Nigerian president. It issued a statement describing Nigeria’s claim that a discussion took place between King Mohammed and President Jonathan as “unethical practices.”

The statement said it wished to state in the “clearest and strongest terms” that “there has never been a phone conversation” between the two leaders.

“The King’s Office categorically denies the false allegations made by Nigerian authorities about an alleged phone conversation between the Sovereign and Nigerian President,” the statement said.

The kingdom of Morocco expresses its astonishment & denunciation to these unethical practices that are contrary to the spirit of responsibility