Moroccan, Algerian officials spar at Tangiers political summit
2008-04-28
A summit of several Maghreb political parties kicked off on Sunday (April 27th) in Tangiers but was marred by an exchange of remarks between Moroccan and Algerian politicians, local and international press reported. The summit is being held on the occasion of 50th anniversary of the 1958 Maghreb Congress in Tangier. This year's summit gathers political parties from Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Libya and Mauritania. It targets true Maghreb economic integration, including a shared currency and the free movement of people and goods.
Addressing the meeting, Moroccan Minister of State Mohamed El Yazghi called on Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to "support the Moroccan plan to drag the Sahara case out of its impasse". Algerian Prime Minister Abdelaziz Belkhadem responded quickly that "since its independence, Algeria has always defended just causes and national independence movements... even among its neighbours". Belkhadem was interrupted by insistences that "the Sahara is Moroccan". Moroccan Prime Minister Abbas El Fassi was forced to intervene, saying that the Sahara question "will not be resolved in this room, but with justice, objectivity and calm".
Belkahdem's visit to Morocco is the first by an Algerian prime minister in the last four years
Email to a friend
Print version
dekli nasreddine Posted 2008-04-29
It is disappointing to say that this summit, which had for is aim the commemoration of the founding idea of the United Maghreb, was eclipsed by the actions of this and that party—condemnable in all cases. We are under the firm conviction that the politicians of these unfortunate countries are advocating the ideas of disunion, discord and stubbornness alone in the face of the legitimate will of this region’s people. These people, the only children of this era, have alas not been listened to since Tangier, 27 April 1958. The people of the Maghreb aspire to better conditions just like other people. But, at the failings of their valiant and respected leaders, the people are rebelling in their own way and calling on all harbingers that at one time or another have led to terrorism, extremism and anti-Semitism.
chihab-25 Posted 2008-04-29
In a previous comment I made on this page on the topic of Tangier Summit (April 27, 2008) on the future of the Arab Maghreb, I talked about the possibility of the meeting's failure. And here is the news confirming this. Instead of commending the fiftieth anniversary of the discourse of Tangier 1958, there was a dispute between prime ministers (what a shame) about the Moroccan Sahara and the position of Algeria on the Sahara conflict. To the surprise of Mr Lahbib Ben Yahya who comforts himself (stupidly) with what is called the secretary general of the Great Arab Maghreb… So the summit was an opportunity for flattery and hypocrisy and no good can be expected from its results. It was an opportunity for parties to transmit outdated messages, as though the clock has stopped at the doors of the cold war witnessed by the world before the Berlin wall was taken down in 1989.
Ahmed ben Mohamed Bakelli Posted 2008-09-30
It is unrealistic to think that the current so-called “representatives” of the countries of the Maghreb will be able to offer anything advantageous to this conference at the Tangier summit. If there is anything positive about maintaining the frequency in which this celebration itself is held, then it will come solely from emphasising this historic date in hopes for the informal organisation of a real and truly representative dialogue. It needs to be said and reaffirmed loudly and clearly that the 1958 conference in Tangier was a meeting between the true representatives of the Maghreb. No party, whatever its size, had the right to take over this conference even if it bore the initials of one of the great party organisations of that time. I think that decency obliges us to respect the memory of the great people of the Maghreb, who, since the beginning of our modern era, have been aspiring for a true union, freed from the prejudices and conflicts maintained by the powers that be for their own health. What would it even mean then, in a truly unified Maghreb, free of the borders that continue to separate us and granted genuine regional representatives, to have the Western Sahara named a Sahrawi Republic or a Moroccan territory, especially being that Tindouf is no longer even on the Maghrebi citizen-tourists itinerary? One thing is for sure: history will retain an appreciation for the current leaders’ consistency, which I would personally respect if it were used professionally towards uniting us. For the moment, though, it is making us lose precious time. We are only hoping to be able to one day make up for this—with or without them!
We welcome your comments on Magharebia's articles.
It is our hope that you will use this forum to interact with other readers across the Maghreb. In order to keep this experience interesting, we ask you to follow the rules outlined in the comments policy. By submitting comments, you are consenting to these rules. While Magharebia.com encourages discussion on all subjects, including sensitive ones, the comments posted are solely the views of those submitting them. Magharebia.com does not necessarily endorse or agree with the ideas, views, or opinions voiced in these comments. This is a moderated forum. Comments deemed abusive, offensive, or those containing profanity may not be published.
Magharebia's Comments Policy