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Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy (2007-2012) spoke in the first part of his book «Le temps des tempêtes», published on July 24, about his relation with several African leaders, including King Mohammed VI and former Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
Recalling the first two years of his mandate, Sarkozy wrote that the Algerian president «refused to have a face-to-face discussion but rather a side-by-side» one, France 24 reports. «I always had to turn my face towards him to see him, which meant that I had pain in my neck when I left the residence where he was receiving me», said the former French president.
«The first hour of meetings with Bouteflika has always been devoted to talking about the liberation revolution and the pain and suffering that colonialism left behind», he said, adding that the former Algerian president «blamed» him for the rapprochement between France and Morocco.
«But I defended myself very strongly by saying that at least when I am in Rabat, the king does not blame me and does not ask me why Morocco fell under French protectorate», he said.
As for his relations with King Mohammed VI, Sarkozy describes him as a man of «high intelligence», «a kind person» who leans towards «French-speaking thoughts». He added that the king of Morocco «mixes several characteristics : Power and strength which he inherited from his father, Hassan II, and the intelligence and humanity of his generation».
The former French president also considered «Morocco very lucky» for having «a king of this importance».
