The Maghreb Union Project: Ambitions and the Road Ahead

Amid prolonged deadlock in the Maghreb region caused by a range of political and regional issues, a new initiative has been launched to revive the Maghreb Union project. The move has been welcomed by many who support closer ties and reconciliation among the countries of the Arab Maghreb Union.

According to Hespress, the initiative—launched in early July 2025—is led by a group of international civil society figures, including Moroccan diplomat Jamal Benomar, former UN Under-Secretary-General.

Despite the current climate of division, the initiative stresses that hope remains. Most people in the region still hold on to the vision of unity passed down by earlier generations.

It points out that, while political tensions persist, they are largely confined to governments and ruling elites. Among the public, the desire for unity remains strong, even as hate speech has begun to spread more openly through media and social platforms.

The International Center for Dialogue Initiatives, which is coordinating the effort, sees the Arab Maghreb Union as a platform where difficult issues can be addressed, current crises debated, and new conflicts prevented before they erupt.

The initiative seeks to give voice to the “silent majority” who still believe in Maghreb unity but have been overshadowed by louder, more divisive rhetoric calling for separation.

It also warns that the dream of regional integration is now more distant than ever. Any progress, it argues, depends on rebuilding trust between Morocco and Algeria—the two largest and most influential powers in the region.

The Arab Maghreb Union, founded in 1989 in Marrakech by Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Mauritania, was intended to promote economic and political cooperation. But over the years, it has been stalled by recurring disputes, especially the long-running conflict over Western Sahara, which continues to block any serious improvement in ties between Morocco and Algeria.

The Maghreb Dream

Commenting on the initiative, Dr. Mohamed al-Hilali, head of the Moroccan Center for Contemporary Studies and Research, described the move as a welcome and positive step, not only in its goals and content but also because it originates from civil society and is led by a respected figure like diplomat Jamal Benomar.

Speaking to Al-Estiklal, Hilali said calling for unity and closer ties between peoples during times of division and polarization reveals one clear truth: those who promote discord have little public support and little hope of influencing the wider popular consciousness.

“Those who benefit from conflict—whether between neighboring countries or among communities—remain isolated and on the margins, even if their voices seem loud on social media.”

“The fact that this initiative comes from civil society shows that vibrant communities, even when worn down by apathy, frustration, and disillusionment, do not give up. They persist in their belief in unity and remain committed to the idea of a shared future that transcends narrow national concerns,” al-Hilali added.

“The collective values of unity, solidarity, and shared interests remain stronger than the divisive narratives of hatred and fragmentation, which thrive in today’s climate of moral and political bankruptcy.”

Hilali stressed that anyone who believes in the potential of unity and in the ability of the region to overcome its challenges should feel hopeful when they see such figures with international, academic, cultural, and political credibility leading the charge.

“Initiatives like this one—whether in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Mauritania, or Libya—offer a glimmer of hope for silencing the drums of war, putting down weapons, and rejecting internal strife.”

At the same time, Hilali said it is vital for Islamic movements—traditionally champions of unity and advocates for a renewed vision of politics, culture, and economics in the Muslim world—to embrace and support such efforts.

He urged them to help create a favorable environment where these initiatives can thrive, laying the foundations for their success and embedding them in public consciousness and collective awareness.

Only then, he said, can the people exert pressure on their leaders and power centers to isolate warlords and instigators of conflict, ensuring that the region stays free from further hostility and turmoil. “We cannot afford new crises, nor can we bear the legacy of inherited instability,” he warned.

Hilali also called on media outlets and influencers to act responsibly toward their nations and audiences. He cautioned against turning political disagreements into a business model for likes and views, earning small profits at the expense of their people’s blood, the tears of grieving mothers, and the shattered lives of children—while mortgaging their countries’ future generations in the process.

A Familiar Script, Renewed Doubts

Not everyone is convinced that the new initiative marks a turning point for North African unity. Algerian journalist Mohamed Kadri argues that the proposal offers little more than a recycled formula that has been tried repeatedly over the decades, with no meaningful results.

In an opinion piece published in early July 2025 by Algeria Maintenant (Algeria Now), Kadri contended that the core problem has never been the absence of platforms for dialogue or a lack of civic engagement. Instead, he placed the blame on Morocco, accusing it of turning the Arab Maghreb Union’s General Secretariat into a diplomatic extension of its foreign policy. He pointed specifically to former Secretary-General Taieb Baccouche, whom he described as a tool for promoting Rabat’s agenda.

Kadri questioned the timing of the initiative, even though it is led by Jamal Benomar, a widely respected figure on the international stage who has previously expressed critical views of some Moroccan policies. “Why now?” Kadri asked, suggesting the move might be a response to recent momentum in the trilateral alliance between Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya.

That bloc, launched by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune in April 2024 during a summit in Tunis with his Tunisian and Libyan counterparts, has been widely seen as a possible alternative to the long-stalled Arab Maghreb Union. Observers say the initiative aimed to bring Mauritania into the fold while sidelining Morocco, though those efforts have yet to bear fruit.

Kadri warned that this emerging cooperation—if it continues to develop without what he called “Rabat’s maneuvering”—could be enough to unsettle Morocco, which he believes is now scrambling to reassert influence over the regional landscape. He suggested that the use of soft diplomacy and seemingly neutral mediators may be part of a broader strategy to reshape the Maghreb dynamic on Moroccan terms.

Others, however, see deeper systemic problems. Moroccan journalist Ali Anouzla believes the real obstacle to Maghreb unity is the absence of democracy.

In a June 2025 op-ed for the International Center for Dialogue Initiatives, Anouzla argued that none of the Maghreb countries are governed by fully democratic systems, and many are outright authoritarian. In such a context, he wrote, even the strongest cultural and historical ties cannot build a sustainable regional union.

He noted that past failures to revive the Arab Maghreb Union were due in part to this democratic deficit. Successful regional blocs—such as the European Union—are built on stable democracies that protect human rights and uphold the rule of law, two qualities largely missing in North Africa, he said.

Regional disputes, particularly the enduring conflict over Western Sahara, along with fragile security in countries like Libya, only complicate matters further.

For the Maghreb dream to be revived, he argued, civil society must play a central role. Informal dialogue among intellectuals, broader youth engagement, and a realistic roadmap that addresses current political and social challenges are essential steps. Building trust between states will take time, but it is necessary.

Anouzla concluded that while the vision of Maghreb unity remains alive, it can only move forward with real political will, clear leadership, and active support from civic institutions determined to overcome the many barriers in its path.

Europe’s Role

A recent report in International Politics & Society, published by Germany’s Friedrich Ebert Foundation in Brussels in June 2025, calls on the European Union to intensify efforts to foster dialogue between Morocco and Algeria. The report urges the EU not to limit its diplomacy to vague notions of “good neighborly relations,” but to actively support structured exchanges featuring civil society, academia, and business leaders from both nations—alongside technical cooperation built on shared benefits.

According to the report, such pragmatic initiatives can help rebuild trust and pave the way for formal negotiations aimed at resolving longstanding tensions and misunderstandings. It suggests drawing lessons from other Mediterranean cases where adversaries found common ground on practical matters, even without official recognition.

To be effective, these exchanges may need to be conducted through discreet, low-profile channels. The Union for the Mediterranean and similar regional organizations could play a key behind-the-scenes role. The report also recommends that the EU place the Morocco–Algeria dispute on its diplomatic agenda, reminding policymakers that both countries are vital partners on issues like security, energy, and migration.

But not everyone welcomes external intervention. Mohamed Hilali, the head of the Moroccan Center for Contemporary Studies and Research, argues that foreign powers are historically complicit in creating regional divisions. “Each time tensions erupt in the region, the risks escalate—not just for North Africans but also for foreign powers whose investments and access to the region’s resources are on the line,” he told Al-Estiklal.

“Any initiative by traditional colonial powers or others in this context is primarily about safeguarding their own interests. Among these is the challenge of irregular migration, which is the direct result of wars and conflicts left behind by colonial powers in previously colonized nations.”

These problems worsen with each new crisis, harming foreign interests and investments while providing further opportunities to exploit the region’s resources at minimal cost.

Therefore, he said, any European or other foreign intervention will inevitably be driven by the desire to protect their own interests and prevent unrest that could affect them. Such efforts will likely be focused on keeping situations under control, addressing border and security challenges like migration and organized crime at their source.

Al-Hilali stressed that these external initiatives are rarely about unity or cooperation. True integration poses a threat to foreign interests and their continued ability to exploit the region’s resources.

In his view, foreign interventions are more about crisis management than conflict resolution. The damage to foreign interests is the same whether a crisis erupts or is resolved. Therefore, he claimed, outside powers prefer to preserve the status quo—fueling both sides, selling weapons, and maintaining the appearance of mediation through symbolic diplomatic efforts.

Hence, he emphasized, meaningful change must come from within. Initiatives should be led by the region’s own people, intellectuals, political parties, unions, and civil society groups. In this regard, he expressed cautious optimism about the initiative led by veteran Moroccan diplomat Jamal Benomar, a figure widely respected not only by regional politicians and intellectuals, but also on the global stage.

Separately, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights has called for reviving the Arab Maghreb Union as a vital strategic choice. In a statement dated April 1, 2025, the organization said ongoing political and diplomatic tensions were hindering the region’s aspirations for cooperation, development, and stability.

It emphasized the need to resume dialogue between Morocco and Algeria and rebuild trust between Morocco and Tunisia, while working to keep politically sensitive issues from dominating bilateral relations.

The organization added that popular and civic initiatives could play an essential role in narrowing the gap between regional societies. It called for support of cultural, economic, and social activities that could help break the political stalemate and build a more open and collaborative Maghreb.

According to the organization, the absence of a functioning Arab Maghreb Union has cost all five member states—Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Mauritania—enormous development and economic opportunities.

Other Initiatives

As part of a broader push to revive the Maghreb Union, Moroccan writer Said Nachid and author Wafa Melih addressed an open letter on July 3, 2025, to Maghreb culture ministers, calling for the creation of a Maghreb Cultural Council.

In what they dubbed the “Free Step Initiative,” the letter stressed that culture is a soft power that can help mend broken ties in the Maghreb. It also highlighted the potential of cultural diplomacy to promote understanding and revive the dream of the Maghreb Union.

The council would aim to promote the region’s diverse yet shared cultural identity, support collaboration between cultural actors across Maghreb countries, and enhance cooperation in education and the arts. It would also organize joint festivals, exhibitions, and forums, create a shared digital library, and establish an archive for the region’s cultural memory.

The letter expressed the hope that Maghreb culture ministers would help write a new chapter in the region’s history—one in which culture transcends borders and political rifts, accomplishing what politics alone has so far failed to achieve.