Major diplomatic differences, of course, refer to the two countries’ varying interests in the Sahara as well as various cultural differences that date back decades. Most recent, however, was the subtext of King Mohammed VI’s visit to Mali, a longtime ally of Algeria. A French diplomatic source quoted in Maghreb Intelligence described the visit as “the smart strategy in a discrete and friendly manner, as played by Morocco, seems to prevail in African [public affairs], particularly as compared with Algeria, who wanders around like a bull in a china shop.”
The Malian episode, however, is only one facet of the diplomatic battle that has raged on for years between Algiers and Rabat in sub-Saharan Africa. In this case, Morocco tends to have a slight advantage. Morocco’s recent immigration reform to benefit sub-Saharan migrants in addition to large-scale investments all over the African continent shows its commitment to building strategic partnerships with its neighbors.
Algiers is losing ground in Africa, long past its prime of African primacy. Even Algerian ministers recognize Algeria’s decline in the region. A former Algerian former minister noted that “during the eighties and nineties, Algeria basked in its revolutionary past, having come into a windfall of petro-dollars…but today the situation is quite different. Apart from the friendship of a few countries in the East of continent, Algeria appears to be increasingly losing ground.”
A senior foreign affairs official in Algiers also lamented on Algeria’s self-perceived regional power, claiming that Algeria “[tried] too hard to play indispensable regional power, which eventually infuriated everyone” during the crisis in Mali.
The real hindrance to peaceful Morocco-Algeria relations is both countries desire to make a name for themselves as separate entities on the African continent. There is a real need for the Maghreb to consider unifying for a common cause, such as, strengthened African continent relations, increased trade and economic prosperity across the region, and decreased political tensions as a result of greater cooperation.
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