The Arab Maghreb Union (AMU) is sometimes known as the Maghreb Union (MU) It is a trading bloc and industrial union trading pact that aims to achieve potential administrative and economic unification among Arab sovereigns states. It mainly aims at those that are situated in the Maghreb region of North Africa. The countries of Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, and Tunisia are its signatories. Due to significant differences between Morocco and Algeria concerning, among other things, the Western Sahara problem, the Union has been unable to make any real headway toward its objectives. Since the third of July 2008, there have been no high-level meetings, and many believe the Union is essentially inert.
Objective
The fundamental goals of the AMU Agreement are to enhance all types of ties between the Member States and eventually implement free trade in products, and productive resources between them. Another important component of the Agreement is non-interference in the partners’ internal affairs and common defense. The Treaty emphasizes the overarching economic plan that can be used, which includes the expansion of farming, and food production and the establishment of cooperative projects and general economic collaboration programs. Lastly, the accord opens the door for future Union membership for other Arab and African countries.
Economy
The economies of four out of the five-member states are combined to form the AMU’s economy. The majority of countries are Arab and Muslim. The aggregate GDP of four out of the five AMU countries is US$1.5276 trillion. With an average income of more than US$65.803 per person, Libya is the richest nation in terms of GDP per capita.
Conflicts in AMU
Traditional conflicts among the AMU have caused issues. For instance, Algeria chose to hand over Libya’s AMU presidency in 1994. AMU meetings were being held in Algiers, which led to diplomatic difficulties between Algeria and other countries, particularly Morocco and Libya, whose presidents had been persistently refusing to attend.
Muammar Gaddafi, the leader of Libya, declared that it was appropriate to “freeze” the Union after it was decided to change the president of the organization. This sparked concerns about Libya’s potentially detrimental impact on how the organization would be governed.
Despite numerous attempts to restart the legislative procedure, the longstanding rivalry between Morocco and Algeria and the unresolved sovereignty issue in Western Sahara have prevented union meetings since the early 1990s. The UN made an effort to settle all of these conflicts, but not much has been accomplished.
Recommended steps to end the rivalry
Working closely together to implement the five proposals listed below, the Maghreb countries can succeed in developing a more successful and deeper integration.
Political unification
In particular, the Maghreb nations must work together to develop a unified social strategy in the fields of education, international relations, and political institutions. The Maghreb Union’s role should be strengthened as the first step in this process.
working together with the South
The Maghreb nations shouldn’t ignore sub-Saharan Africa, which has long been seen as a danger by the region due to migration, violence, and political ideologies.
Security coordination
A safer zone will result from information sharing at the top level, luring more international direct investment and visitors. Entrepreneurs want political peace and protection; the penalty of a lack of regional collaboration is simply too harsh.
Work in Unity
The five nations should export together on a global scale. They have historically engaged in rivalry in industries like the production of automobiles, textiles, and telecommunications.
The nations of the Maghreb may cooperate on numerous levels. Locally, resource-rich nations like Algeria and Libya can meet the requirements of their neighbors.
Promote the free flow of investment, individuals, goods, and services.
Opening up fences between neighbors is the first step toward progress. Only regular flights between Casablanca and Algiers can solve this issue for now.
The Maghreb nations should address the issue of standardization to implement the free movement of commodities, which will improve economic and political relations.
