Arab liberals discuss Arab Maghreb Union

2008-11-30

Liberal politicians from Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Mauritania met for the first time in Marrakech last week to discuss accelerating the Arab Maghreb Union.

By Imrane Binoual for Magharebia in Marrakech - 30/11/08

[Imrane Binoual] Representatives from about 20 political parties in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Mauritania discussed the Arab Maghreb Union in a meeting in Marrakech.

In a meeting held in Marrakech on November 22nd and 23rd, members of several liberal parties in the Maghreb region discussed the different obstacles standing in the way of the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU).

Representatives from about 20 political parties in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Mauritania gathered for their first joint meeting to address several issues of concern in the region.

"We need to discuss all the issues which concern us, objectively and vigorously, particularly the bipartite differences which prevent us from uniting peoples and integrating economies in the Maghreb [and] opening up borders," said Mohamed Tamaldou, president of the Network of Arab Liberals, which organised the event.

Participants proposed solutions to move on from the current status quo that is hindering Maghreb unity and the AMU.

"We think that the absence of democracy and freedom is one of the most influential blocking factors," Tunisia's Social Liberal Party secretary Mondher Thabet told Magharebia. "The AMU founding treaty put a ceiling on this institution’s ambitions and limited it to an understanding between the heads of state, who are, of course, in a state of disagreement."

He pointed out several factors hindering the union process. "I could cite in particular the problem of the Sahara," Thabet said. "We also think that the fragility of the middle classes in the Maghreb region has been one of the factors behind the failure of communications and shared projects."

Without a viable Maghreb Union, researchers say the region loses an estimated 4.6 billion euros every year, he noted.

People of the Maghreb are "missing out on incredible opportunities for development and growth," Thabet argued, laying out his action plan.

"Firstly, we must bring the current structure of the AMU back to the negotiating table. We think that the current institutions are wholly inadequate to bring about a Maghreb confederation," he said. "We must also think about promoting democracy and human rights in the Maghreb region."

Finally, he called for developing "an economic and industrial plan of action in the Maghreb region" and for establishing a synergy between businessmen in the different countries of the Maghreb".

The idea of an Arab Maghreb Union was first proposed at a 1958 summit in Tangiers.

In the decades which followed, nothing has blocked a united Maghreb as much as what Algerian politician Rabah Boucetta of the Rally for Culture and Democracy party calls the "lack of will among our leaders".

"We signed up to continue the work of the 1958 meetings," he said, but "reject what was done subsequently and what is known as the AMU".

Boucetta added, ""Each time it is said that this union is just a club for heads of state. It isn’t serving the peoples of the region."

Liberals--undeterred by the union plan's slow progress --remain committed to seeing the project realised for the region's shared good.

"The development of Maghreb Union institutions must proceed, particularly with the establishment of a parliament elected by the Maghreb peoples," said Liberal Women’s Organisation President Rawdha Seibi. "This could lead to a coming-together of civil society and governing bodies."

As to the contribution of the liberal movement to the union' success, Seibi said it could be considerable.

"Economic development could rightly take the place of political misunderstanding. Our thinking is the same as in the European Community, where it has led to unification at an institutional level," she told Magharebia.

"This is possible for the Arab world, and particularly for the Maghreb region."