Summary:

On Monday 22 April 2024, President Kais Saied hosted the Algerian and Libyan heads of state for a trilateral meeting widely hailed as an effort to revitalize the Arab Maghreb Union while excluding Morocco. 

                               [mepr-show if=”loggedout”] Please login or purchase an InBrief membership to view the rest of this report [/mepr-show] [mepr-show if=”loggedin”]

The meetings were attended by Algerian President Abdelmajid Tebboune and President of Libya’s Presidential Council Mohamed al Menfi along with their respective delegations. Algerian President Tebboune insisted that no Maghreb state was being excluded from the meetings and that regional unity was critical, despite Morocco’s absence amidst long-standing tensions between Rabat and Algiers. 

Substantive discussions included border security, migration, countering organized crime, and pursuing joint economic and energy projects. 

The meeting also resulted in a joint declaration indicating that Mauritania would be invited to participate in the next meeting, which will take place in Tripoli, Libya. 

On 23 April 2024, al Menfi traveled to Rabat on behalf of the Tripoli-based Libyan government, meeting with the Moroccan foreign minister Nasser Bourita and delivering a written message to the King of Morocco. 

Outlook: 

The trilateral meetings in Tunis were, as predicted, less about policy substance than strategic posturing, particularly as both Algeria and Libya look toward their own efforts to reset and restart engagement outside their own borders. 

With Algeria’s long-standing tensions with Morocco still at the forefront of Algeria’s regional strategic posture, Algiers is likely looking to assert itself a regional leader while further isolating Morocco. While Tunisia has less bargaining power in light of Algeria’s history of supporting Tunisia economically, Libya continues to act more independently, including the stop in Rabat by al Menfi shortly after the meetings in Tunis. 

While Mauritania could be included in future meetings, the lack of alignment of interests as well as foreign partners will continue to make a revitalization of any trans-North African alliance difficult. 

[/mepr-show]

Explore our services or speak with our team of North Africa-based risk experts.