Spotlight on Morocco-Algerian rivalry as Maghreb union meets
The new Maghreb union is set to meet this month, as tensions between Algeria and Morocco remain high, according to Maghrebi.org on January 3rd.
Algerian leaders will be joined by those of Libya and Tunisia to discuss cooperation on regional issues, including Libyan elections and the disputed Western Sahara region.
The union, which has met twice already, was created in November of 2023, with Algeria quick to assert its existence as a replacement for the former Arab Maghreb Union, according to MiddleEastMonitor.
However, missing from this supposed ‘iteration’ is both Morocco and Mauritania, posing questions about its true function.
With Tunisia in an economic quagmire, and Libya effectively split in two, the only country capable of exerting power beyond its borders seems to be Algeria.
Sceptics suggest the union was formed to rival Morocco’s Atlantic Initiative, which was announced that same month and is aimed at providing Atlantic access to countries in the Sahel, including Mali, Chad and Niger.
The initiative is expected to help stabilise the region and consolidate Rabat’s influence, according to CarnegieEndowment.org.
Moroccan exports to Africa were valued at $3bn in 2024, with an additional $2.5bn in investments – Mali receiving the third highest investment.
The only barrier to Rabat’s friendship with the Sahel is its close ties to France, especially in the wake of Paris recognising its sovereignty over Western Sahara.
Sub-Saharan countries who experienced coups in recent years have either thrown France out or are in the process of doing so, and cooperation Morocco is seen as a potential security risk.
Another flash point between Algiers and Rabat is the gas pipelines both nations are looking to build into sub-Saharan Africa.
According to France24, the long-stalled projects were revived after the rise of gas prices due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with Morocco planning coastal pipeline to Nigeria, while Algeria looks to build one also to Nigeria, but through Niger and the Sahara.
Maghrebi.org, MiddleEastMonitor, CarnegieEndowment.org, France24
