Blogging for a united Maghreb
2007-06-08
North African bloggers selected June 1st to blog about the Maghreb. They debated their differences and the problems impeding the existence of a more united Maghreb.
 [Mossaab Benrhouma] Bloggers reflect on the state of the Maghreb union |
Since Big Trap Boy’s appeal to bloggers to exchange their views on the Maghreb, numerous writers have sounded off with their opinions.
The campaign, according to Big Trap Boy, was an "open call to all Maghreb bloggers, Arab and non-Arab, to partake on June 1st 2007 in a collective call for Arab Maghreb states to move beyond the circumstantial conflicts that disturb the movement for integration and unity, and embark on practical and joint steps to pave the way for an economic Maghreb union… This initiative underlines the stand of participating Maghreb bloggers against political terrorism facing the region, and rejection of violence and extremism of all kinds… "
The Morocco Report wrote in favor of a Maghreb union, noting that the failure of the exiting Arab Maghreb Union (UMA) thus far stems from "fighting between Algeria and Morocco". The blogger expressed his disgust at "the way [Algeria] manipulated the issue in the Western Sahara, [and] Morocco’s refusal to hear a referendum on independence." He concluded by writing, "I support at least some semblance of a Maghreb Arab Union. If only for the reopening of the Algerian-Moroccan border - if only for a resolution on the Western Sahara."
Moroccan blogger Myrtus expressed her support for the initiative, responding: "I personally like the idea of a Maghreb Union… but [it] has never really become completely operational due to some regional squabbles." Frustrated that the region’s heads of state "don't seem to have their priorities straight", the blogger suggested that all the participants "email them a copy of our June 1st posts to bring our points across."
In his post "Maghreb of dictators," Hou-Hou blog predicted that there will not be a Maghreb as long as there are no "true democracies". Democracy, according to the blogger, is the "sine qua non condition of any successful project of economic, political, cultural or social integration in the region." The post concluded with the following declaration: "The Maghreb is neither a dream nor a utopia; it is an historical necessity, a pragmatic recipe for survival and success in a globalised world where ‘every man for himself’ is a losing choice."
Zizou from Djerba was not optimistic about the potential for Maghreb unity. Writing that the plan for a Maghreb Union "looks simple at first glance", but "sadly all attempts to establish a union have failed... in my opinion it is too easy to blame politicians for their ineffectiveness. To me, it is important to have a realistic picture of the current situation in our individual countries before pursuing unification."
Disappointed in some of the bloggers' responses, blogger and creator of the campaign’s logo Mossaab wrote, "Wake up, as those we were accusing of plotting against us to try to separate us [the West] are the same who now encourage our integration and the creation of an economic and political coalition. The Western Sahara issue has engaged every country of the world... [They] have all sent emissaries to mediate and solve the problem, but what have we done? Nothing."
"The Maghreb has to become an open space in which all North Africans are able to freely move," wrote Amina Talhimet, imagining a Maghreb where people have the right to drive from Nouakchott to Tripoli through Rabat, Algiers and Tunis without a visa. The Moroccan blogger praised the initiative and suggested that the next "blogging for..." event should be "for Africa".
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Adil Ski Posted 2007-06-10
A great article rounding up the Maghrebian blogosphere's reactions to the United Maghreb Day.Good job Maghrebia.com Adilski
phoenician boy Posted 2007-06-23
So long as Bouteflika is alive, there will never be a Maghreb. Once he is dead, (and with him the idea of a dominant Algeria), the Maghreb will have its day.
hassan amazigh Posted 2007-06-25
It's called the Great Amazigh Maghreb not Arab!!!! Correct history, life for Amazigh.
sammy Posted 2007-06-25
i realy don't see any benifit of the so called maghreb. it's just a big joke, the people are different their culture and ethnicity is different, as tunisian i do not see anything in common with the algerians and certainly not with morrocans every thing mentioned above is just bla bla
grande Posted 2007-06-25
There cannot be a unified Greater Maghreb, so long as it is subjugated to the Arabisation that prohibits such a union.
almaghrib al3arabi Posted 2007-06-26
Arab today and Arab tomorrow, you Berbers.
safae Posted 2007-06-26
Some real things need to be added to this programme.
nordine Posted 2007-06-26
To read the assertions of “phonenician boy” (a funny name) and “grande” (most assuredly only referring to his height), Mr. Bouteflika and Arabisation are the enemies of the Greater Maghreb. The aforementioned writers failed to mention, however, that: first, Mr. Bouteflika is, at heart, a fighter for the independence and liberty of the Great country that is Algeria, a country inseparable from the Greater Maghreb. Mr. Bouteflika has worked towards the independence of Algeria for the development of a free and independent Greater Maghreb. Second, the aforementioned give evidence of an amnesia regarding the Arabness of the Greater Maghreb. Attempts at Arabisation, even if they have been poorly handled here and there, affirm and reinforce the feeling of identity in a very large population of the countries of the Greater Maghreb, who find it a great resource for the entire region. The saying goes: Aslouka, Aslouka. The great nations of the world have understood and work to strengthen their peoples’ connections to their identities and their origins. In the countries of the Greater Maghreb, there cannot be Arabness without Amazighness and vice versa; we cannot eliminate one to strengthen the other…
Algiers Posted 2007-06-27
Sure, it's a great idea to imagine a Maghreb like the one envisioned by Amina Talhimet. But with everything going on right now (attacks, drug trafficking and the mess of Islamists), it is clear there won't be a free Maghreb for the Maghrebis. If they truly want to have a free Maghreb, then countries like Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya and Mauritania really need to be on the level to guarantee global security. In any case, I don't see it happening... since Algeria is far too preoccupied with watching its borders and I don't think we are ready to live in such a large territory. For the moment we are doing a giant clean-sweep of all the terrorist bastards so everything is locked up for the time being. Sorry, “Phonoecian Boy”! I do not know what country you come from, but listen: if you are leaving comments like this, it is surely because your country does not have a problem with terrorists. We, on the other hand, have to finish up with these jerks who have no life, so let us have some time to set up our country and let Bouteflika finish his good work!!! We are not going to get ahead of ourselves here!!! We don't want to see the Tunisians or Moroccans come here only to get themselves killed by terrorists, so don't heyyyy don't rush us!!
Amazigh Posted 2007-07-03
As an Amazigh, nothing bothers me more than calling the Maghreb 'Arab'. May the Arabs go back home and create their “unity” there, in Arabia! Arabia you call it? There you won't even have to Arabicise, because they are already Arab.
morad Posted 2007-07-17
I wish you success from God.
hanane Posted 2007-07-22
Salam alaikoum, I'm a Moroccan citizen, given my relationship with Algerian and Tunisian brothers, the possibility of the achievement of the Arab Maghreb Union is probable. As for the Amazigh man, this idea (Amazigh or Arab, it's an external idea made by the West so that we plunge in endless problems and always remain under their control. That's why, my Moroccan brothers, be careful about that, because in order to set up the Maghreb union, we have to disregard Amazigh and Sahraoui races, and consider that we're all Muslims, the language of Islam is Arabic and not Amazigh. By the way I'm a Moroccan Amazigh citizen.
داود ساي Posted 2007-07-24
After a review of the comments and feedback of the friends, it's clear that the gap is growing wider between the 60's generation and that of the second millenium. Our generation is proud of the Arab Maghreb despite what was destroyed by politics. I'm Algerian but I love Morocco, I love Tunisia and its people and I don't accept the fabricated division on the basis of dialects and languages.
داودساي Posted 2007-07-24
A greeting to everyone, if the aim of this site is to spread tumult between the peoples through sectarianism, tribalism, nationalism and regionalism, I'm against that, and I've declared that before, I'm sorry to boycott this site which I came across at random sometime ago and was happy with its name, but I feel that the division trend among readers is prevalent, and this contributes to widening the gap between nations instead of narrowing it.
acharif moulay abdellah bouskraoui Posted 2007-07-29
May Praise be to God Alone. A united Maghreb would put an end to much suffering, but the real problem with all the long-running conflicts comes from Algeria sticking sticks in our spokes by supporting the Polisario. We Moroccans hope to see this union between brothers and neighbours. We are thus extending our open hands out to all the countries of the Maghreb and out to Algeria. As for those of Moroccan origin in the Polisario, I would like to say to them that here is a plan for "autonomy": rejoin your brother Moroccans. Morocco is your country, and the RASD is nothing but an illusion that Algeria’s secret service put into the sick minds of certain so-called separatists. –Signed, Acharif Moulay Abdellah Bouskraoui
جزائري مغاربي Posted 2007-08-11
On the contrary, I think that setting up the Great Maghreb will solve many problems such as economic integrity and even in fighting terrorism. It's funny to see that Al Qaeda is more Maghrebian and smarter than goverments. The other thing is that I believe that the Great Maghreb will be more supportive of the Amazigh movements. We the Algerians, have much to learn of our Maghreb brothers as we have much we can offer.
أمازيغي مهاجر Posted 2007-08-11
The biggest enemies of the Amazighia are Amazigh people themselves who stick to Arabs, even if Arabs throw Amazighs in the sea, you'll see them sticking to them again. I don't know how to solve this problem.
جزائري مغاربي Posted 2007-08-12
The solution is to be proud of your Amazigh origins without bearing animosity to your Arab fellow citizens. This animosity will add nothing to your Amzighity. Otherwise you'll be like Arabs or the 'extremists' who see their animosity to the West as an indicator of the authenticity of their Arabism and good Islam.
Oran 2 Posted 2007-08-14
I completely support a united Maghreb, but there are some people who are discouraging this like the Chief of the Tunisian Border Control, who has thrown Algerian passports over the Algerian-Tunisian border. That almost started a riot. You know the Maghreb is bizarre. The Algerian people have more of an affinity for the Moroccan people, but that is not the case with the leaders. And the Tunisian people do not really care for us. The leaders of the two countries are waiting for a miracle. Silly Maghreb!
kader Posted 2007-09-05
Reading everything that has been said about Algeria, I am saddened to hear the comments of our neighbours. It seems to me that it is not too late to respond to Sammy, who said “I see no benefit to this and we have nothing in common with Algerians.” Do not forget that thanks to the Arab Maghreb, there is now an Enrico Mattei gas pipeline connected to our friendly country Italy, which also allows Tunisia to provide its territory with natural gas from Algeria. This accounts for half of your country’s annual consumption and provides you with a path to progress. Moreover, your government is dreaming of a second gas pipeline to improve even more. I think it would be useful for you to remember that thanks to this so-called Arab Maghreb, there are more than one million tourists who went to Tunisia this year. Your press revealed that my compatriots have moved ahead of Germany and are classed just behind the French. According to your country’s press, your commerce industry and your hotel owners prefer Algerians as they spend “a thousand times more than Europeans.” (see the last “Jeune Afrique.”) Now you can see the benefits your country is taking in! I would like to add that following the attack in Djerba, Europeans deserted Tunisia; it is thanks to Algerians that the season was somewhat saved. Now tell me where is the benefit to Algeria? As for Phoenician Boy who hopes for Bouteflika’s death so that an Arab Maghreb will have its day, I would like to simply say that, with or without Bouteflika, Algerians are no fools. With regards to Tunisia and Morocco, Algeria is losing out. Now, the latter desires to open its borders simply for the Algerian tourists. Be logical. Everyone wants to defend their country, but tell me what that has to do with Algeria! Tell me!
Syphax Posted 2007-11-26
North africa is a land that has its own independent history , for those who dream of a arab world there is no place for u in north africa the land of the berbers , imazighen the free men . the dismantelement in north africa is due to the arab mentality , we imazighe consider ourselves as unified , all we need is to establish our own secular government and promote our own language and culture.
الرجل الصالح Posted 2008-01-12
In the name of God, the Moroccan country is the best site coveted by enemies. We're nations who have the same religion, the same language and one Arab nation to break borders which separate us from each other and wars which sow in our souls hatred and revulsion.
Jamal Posted 2008-01-17
First I want to make something clear about the Imazighen and the people who are fighting for the cultural rights of the Imazighen. Actually, I think the whole of the Maghreb is one people regarding there culture, language and ethnic background. There are many sub-groups and tribes within this Maghreb region with who speaek an dialect of the Amazigh language or a dialect of the Arab darijja. Not many people know that the difference between the Imazighen and Arabs in the Maghreb is not ethnicity but language and culture! Ethnically the people of the Maghreb are the same, I did research on this! The people who fight for the right of the Imazighen are talking about Amazigh language and culture. And the ecucated Imazighen who know a great deal about their history, culture know that it is a big joke to say that Imazighen are different from Arabs in the Maghreb! At least 90% of the Maghrebbians have Amazigh ancesters, they were Arabised in the past and forgot about their culture. Maghrebbians are of Nordic Amazigh and Sahroui Amazigh descent, Riffians, Chleuh in Morocco and Kabyle,Chaoui in Algeria, Jbel Nefousa in Libia, Jerba in Tunesia are Nordic Amazigh. The Touaregh and other Sahroui tribes from South Libia till Mauritania are of Sahroui Amazigh descent. After the ice age the Sahara transformed from a fertile area to the Sahara and this impacted its inhabatants. The origian of the Imazighen is the pre Sahara area/period. You can find more on my internetsite. Just type Stichting Metalsa on google. After the Amazigh emancipation of the different Amazigh tribes in the different Maghreb coutries this Amazigh entity could be the initiator of the creation of more awareness of common values and descent of the Maghreb peoples and contribute to the Maghreb Unity!
Maghrebbi Taschfin Posted 2008-01-17
@ Jamal; Interesting ! After the colonial period we had a pan Arab sentiment in North Africa. This Arab nationalism had no respect for the indigenous Amazigh identity and tried aggressively to eradicate all the Amazigh elements in the Maghreb. This Arabisation of the Maghreb had a big impact on the cultural diversity of the Maghreb. This cultural diversity made the Maghreb to be a moderate Islamic region with little space for extremism, separatism and absolute thoughts concerning culture and ethnicity. Initially this Arab nationalism had been developed in the Maghreb to keep the ruling class in its position and to unify the different Maghreb countries. This nationalism was initiated by the pan Arab thought from the Middle East to unify the Arab peoples and nations in a socialst anti Western framework. There was no space for cultural diversity and respect for the endemic people. Arab nationalism didn’t prove to be successful, it didn’t brought anything good to the Maghreb, no democracy, no cultural diversity because of the simple fact Maghreb people are not Arabs in the first place. At this moment we are still in this period, but there are positive changes for reconciliation of the past and to look at the future by the Maghreb governments. After the Amazigh emancipation of the different Amazigh tribes in the different Maghreb coutries this Amazigh entity could be the initiator of the creation of more awareness of common values and descent of the Maghreb peoples.
سميرة Posted 2008-01-17
As an ordinary citizen like all other citizens in freedom and rights, for us this idle topic is valueless. The messenger of God (peace and prayer be upon him) said "There's no difference between foreigners and Arabs except in fate". All the people are equal. Thank you.
zeggar said Posted 2008-01-17
Mr. Bouskraoui (your name is in the shortened form without the pompous title, which you are the first to don upon yourself.) Why do you have to wattle your way into every one of our debates? We already told you in the past that people like you live superficially. You get all the advantages of life and you do not even know how to stay afloat. You sold all your basic principles so as to live superficially and in order not to drown you latch on to the Royalty like it is your lifeline. You talk about the Western Sahara, but we Sahrawi do not recognise people of your rank and pompous titles. We will fight you with words and arms alike. The Maghreb is with the SADR, whether you agree to it or not. You do not represent yourself. The Sahrawi people are more noble and proud than any of you people who profess to royal lineage.
Jamal Posted 2008-01-19
After the colonial period we had a pan Arab sentiment in North Africa. This Arab nationalism had little respect for the indigenous Amazigh identity and tried aggressively to eradicate all the Amazigh elements in the Maghreb. This Arabisation of the Maghreb had a big impact on the cultural diversity of the Maghreb that made the Maghreb so cultural diverse and tolerant. The diversity made it to be a moderate Islamic region with little space for extremism, separatism and absolute thoughts concerning culture and ethnicity. Initially this Arab nationalism had been developed in the Maghreb to keep the ruling class in its position and to unify the different Maghreb countries. This nationalism was initiated by the pan Arab thought from the Middle East to unify the Arab peoples and nations in a socialst anti Western framework. There was no space for cultural diversity and respect for the endemic people. Arab nationalism didn’t prove to be successful, it didn’t brought anything good to the Maghreb, no democracy, no cultural diversity because of the simple fact Maghreb people are not Arabs in the first place. At this moment we are still in this period, but there are positive changes for reconciliation of the past and to look at the future by the Maghreb governments. After the Amazigh emancipation of the different Amazigh tribes in the different Maghreb coutries this Amazigh entity could be the initiator of the creation of more awareness of common values and descent of the Maghreb peoples.
Amazigh Posted 2008-02-04
Before the French colonization in the 19th century, parts of southern and western Algeria belonged to Morocco.[3] In the 1930s and later in the 1950s, France had integrated into what was known as the Overseas Departement of French Algeria, the areas of Tindouf and Bechar. When Morocco gained independence, it wanted to reassert sovereignty over these areas. In an effort to cut the support that the Algerian liberation movement was getting from Morocco, France offered to return those areas in exchange for Morocco stopping that support. King Mohammed V refused to make a deal with France behind the back of the "Algerian brothers", and agreed with the Algerian provisional governement's nationalist leader Ferhat Abbas, that once Algeria gained its independence it would renegotiate the status of the Tindouf and Bechar areas. However, immediately after Algeria's independence, and before his agreement with King Muhammad V could be formally ratified, Abbas was purged from the Front de Libération Nationale (FLN) government by a military-backed coalition led by radical leader Ahmad Ben Bella. The last, bloody years of the FLN's rebellion had been fought essentially to prevent France from splitting off the Sahara regions from the emerging Algerian state, and thus neither Ben Bella nor the rest of the wartime FLN were inclined to give them up to Morocco when independence was achieved. The Algerians therefore recognized neither Morocco's historical nor its political claims. Instead, they perceived the Moroccan demands as an attempt to infringe the country's hard-won independence and pressure it when it was at its weakest. Algeria was still reeling from the enormous damage caused by the Algerian War.
Jamal, Riffian Amazigh Hollanda Posted 2008-02-06
Salaam aleikum, Azul, We have to look at the future! Good news about the creation of a Maghreb Union and the integration of the member states. We in the Maghreb are of Amazigh descent with an Arab Amazigh culture. We are etnically, culturally one people in te Maghreb. We have a strong basis to be unified! There are a lot of people who are afraid that the Maghreb could be unified! And become a political power, like the pas Arab states in the Middle East, and conservative European states that want to divide us historically. Imagine if we had one monatary system, one currency, one military defence. How great our Maghreb Union would be. My dream is a Maghreb Union and I will work together with Maghrebbian students for more integration. This Maghreb Union is dream, a goal to work on as Maghrebbians. I welcome all Mahrebbian students to join the Young Maghebbian Movemant. Our principals could be the following: No to terrorism and nationalism No to military build up in the Maghreb No to corruption No to cultural discrimaination Yes to the Maghreb union Yes to economic development and open borders Yes to equality of the Magherbbian citicens Yes to democracy Yes to cultural diversity and emancipation, Amazigh Yes to involvemant of the Maghrebbians living abroad in the Maghreb Union. Yes to autonamy for the regions who desire it by referendum, within the souvernty of the country and Maghreb Union. We have to unite to form a block against outside and inside threats! I call on all the Magherbbian students to join and help us and thus yourself. I am as much a Moroccan as an Algerian Tunisian Libian I care for all its people because our ethnic, cultural background. We are one, we where separated by others. Its time to be together and strong
ACHEYO Posted 2008-03-04
Azul (greetings), salam…Firstly, Amazigh people aren’t against anyone. They are just claiming to show their culture and identity to the world and stop attributing what they do to Arabs… As to the union, it is based on the right and in the Islamic religion… Not everyone who is Muslim is said to be Arab…Islam calls people to Islam and they aren’t Arabs. Amazigh people aren’t against Arabs, they just want to show their civilization in their countries…Salam, Tanmirt (bye).
امازيغي Posted 2008-06-12
Curse the Arab Maghreb. I won’t recognise it even if the sky were to fall on the Earth. I want to say that the Amazigh people have been the owners of this land since old times but Arabs and their problems should go away because we don’t need them. Arabs are a curse on the Amazighs, how naïve they are, they say it with such coldness, the Arab Maghreb. You should know that he with the right will certainly uncover his right, so why do you lie to yourselves saying that this land is yours? We have been fed up with you because since you came, the Amazigh people haven’t seen a single nice day. Take your problems with you to Najd and never come back. Our grandfathers were here long ago and your grandfathers are from that peninsula.
boras Posted 2008-06-16
The one unifying force in the Maghreb is Islam. Whether we are Amazigh or Arab we must never forget that Allah (swt) will not judge you on your race but what lies in your heart. Now with that said any scheme which tries to unify the peoples of the Maghreb must be good and we should all actively support it. For those who are against schemes to try to unify the peoples of the Maghreb politically and economically are simply retarded in their thinking.
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