El Magreb Árabe lanza una llamada a la diplomacia para lograr una solución pacífica al conflicto con Argelia

Taieb Baccouche is a prominent Tunisian politician who has served as secretary general of the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU) since 2016. Baccouche is an advocate of regional integration in the Maghreb and has worked closely with the African Union (AU) to promote cooperation among AMU member countries. 

In the past month, Baccouche has denounced Algeria's recent attack on the chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, for receiving credentials from a Moroccan diplomat appointed as the AMU's permanent representative to the AU. Baccouche said the attack was "unacceptable and should not be tolerated" and was contrary to the principles of the AMU. In addition to condemning the incident, Baccouche has also called on AMU member countries to work together to improve cooperation in the Maghreb and to promote peace and stability in the region. Moreover, he has been working hard to achieve the AMU's goal of promoting regional integration in the Maghreb, thereby promoting cooperation and development programmes, as well as trade and financial integration initiatives. In addition, it is working to increase interaction and exchange between AMU member countries. 

Algeria's anger is nothing new as the two countries have been at loggerheads for years. For decades, Algeria has strongly opposed Morocco's inclusion in the African Union. This stance is reflected in the constant political pressure Algeria has exerted on the Moroccan kingdom to prevent it from expanding its international relations. 

16 April marked an important moment in Algerian history. The Algerian government came under fire after African Union (AU) chairperson Mahamat received Moroccan diplomat Amina Selmane, who handed over her credentials as AMU's permanent representative to the continental organisation. This decision, which was taken without Algeria's consent, provoked a strong reaction from the Algerian government.

The AMU is a union of 13 African countries with the aim of promoting unity, peace and prosperity in the region. Algeria, one of the founding members, has opposed Morocco's inclusion in the AMU because of the conflict between the two. The Algerian government sees Morocco as a threat to its sovereignty. Despite Algerian protests, the AMU welcomed Morocco and, consequently, Amina Selmane. This decision has divided the union, with Algeria accusing its members of ignoring its concerns and jeopardising the integrity and unity of the AMU. 

The incident has highlighted the importance of diplomacy and the need for countries in the region to work together to address the region's problems. The AMU must find a peaceful solution that satisfies all member countries, including Algeria, to avoid an escalation of tensions and ensure stability in the region. 

On the other hand, the Algerian government described the decision of the president of the African Union Commission to receive the credentials of the Moroccan diplomat sent to the headquarters of the Union as an "irresponsible" and "hasty" act. 

In a statement, the Algerian Foreign Ministry said the appointment of the Moroccan diplomat was not in line with the texts governing the functioning of the Arab Maghreb Union and stressed that the secretary-general's mandate had expired on 1 August 2022. 

At the same time, Algeria pointed out that Mahamat's decision violates the principle of equality of the member states of the Arab Maghreb Union, endangering the stability of the region. Algeria has called on the African Union Commission to take urgent action to undo the alleged appointment and restore respect for the principles of equality among member states.