Five Arab Countries Will Achieve Full Self-Sufficiency: Strong Economies, Military and Security Partnerships, Long-Lasting Stability, and a Better Life for Citizens
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A regional union between Mauritania, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya could reshape the African map forever. All of this hinges on the success of the Maghreb Union, a project that failed before it could even be born.
Idea and Formation of the Maghreb Union
The concept of the union first emerged before the wave of independence swept the Arab world. The first discussions about the union took place during the Conference of Moroccan Parties in Tangier in 1958, which included Morocco's Independence Party, Tunisia's Constitutional Party, and Algeria's National Liberation Front. After the countries gained independence, several attempts were made to realize this union, such as the establishment of the Maghreb Consultative Committee in 1964, which aimed to strengthen economic ties between the countries. This was followed by smaller agreements, such as the Brotherhood Treaty between Algeria, Tunisia, and Mauritania in 1983.
The meetings and agreements continued until June 1988, when the leaders of the Maghreb countries met in Zeralda, Algeria. At this meeting, all parties expressed their desire to establish the Maghreb Union. Finally, on February 17, 1989, the union was officially announced in Marrakech, Morocco, including five countries: Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Mauritania, laying the official cornerstone.
Objectives and Structure of the Maghreb Union
From the outset, clear objectives were set for the union, primarily to achieve consensus among the countries and expand diplomatic cooperation between them, while also preserving the independence of each state.
Another key goal was to achieve joint economic development across all sectors-ndustrial, agricultural, commercial, and even cultural. The member states agreed to develop education and create an integrated system among them. These clear goals offered a solution to the long-standing issues faced by the region’s citizens, but they remained only on paper for many reasons.
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| The flag of the Arab Maghreb Union from atop Africa's highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. |
In terms of structure, like any major union or organization, the Maghreb Union had legislative, executive, and judicial bodies. At the top was the Presidential Council, which included the heads of state of the member countries, followed by the Council of Foreign Ministers, which was responsible for holding union meetings. Next was the Follow-up Committee, tasked with overseeing the union's issues and reporting them to the higher council.
The union also had several specialized ministerial committees, such as the Economic and Finance Committee and the Human Resources Committee. A general secretariat, based in Rabat, Morocco, was established, led by a Secretary-General appointed by the Presidential Council for a three-year term, along with a team of employees selected by the Secretary-General.
Additionally, the union included the Shura Council, its legislative body, along with the judicial authority and the Maghreb Academy of Sciences. One of the early outcomes of the union was the creation of the Maghreb University and the Maghreb Bank for Investment and Foreign Trade, which aimed to establish an interconnected and integrated Maghreb economy.
However, all these details remained stalled due to numerous issues between the member countries. Only the agreements were carried out, while the people of the Maghreb saw no tangible results.
The Collapse of the Union
Despite numerous meetings and agreements, the Maghreb Union failed to achieve any of its goals. Political conflicts turned it into a mere administrative body without any real power or influence. The main unresolved issue was the Western Sahara conflict, which Morocco had been disputing with the Polisario Front for years. Morocco frequently accused neighboring Algeria of supporting the Polisario financially, militarily, and politically. Algeria openly declared its support for the Sahrawi people’s independence, repeatedly urging the United Nations to intervene and resolve the matter, stepping away from the conflict itself.
Years of battles over Western Sahara cost Morocco many lives and resources, further straining its relationship with Algeria. Although a UN-brokered agreement was reached in 1991, tensions flared up again three years later following a terrorist attack on a hotel in Marrakech, in which suspects of Algerian origin were implicated. In response, Morocco imposed visa requirements on Algerians, and Algeria reciprocated.
Another factor contributing to the union’s downfall was the discontent of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, who felt the union did not provide sufficient support to Libya at crucial times. Consequently, he shifted his focus to Africa rather than the union. Tensions between Libya and Tunisia also played a role, dating back to a failed merger attempt in 1974. Numerous issues turned the union into a platform for blame and empty exchanges, leaving the dream of a unified Maghreb unfulfilled for over 30 years. The union now waits for genuine agreements to bring it back to life after decades of discord and strife, so that the Maghreb Union can finally become a reality.