In 1984, Morocco withdrew from the African Union in reaction to the union’s admission of the Polisario Front into the African body. This decision resulted in Morocco’s isolation from the African space and limited its foreign policy and influence.
For more than three decades, the empty chair policy fostered the separatist thesis, with African countries becoming more familiar with the Polisario Front. Better than that, the African Union had become an interface to exert pressure on Morocco internationally and regionally. Algeria and others founded the Moroccan withdrawal to be an opportunity to surround the Kingdom and isolate it in the continent.
In 2017, Morocco regained its seat in The African Union. A step that represents a part of a great plan and multidimensional strategy, based on economic partnership, development and cooperation. Through this new policy, Morocco aims to create a matrix of mutual interests with all of the african states, including those that still recognize the Polisario Front like Nigeria, Ethiopia , Rwanda…
In 2022, Morocco’s geopolitical isolation had become a thing of the past. Neither can the Kingdom realize its strategic ambitions outside of Africa, nor can the continent progress in the international sphere without Moroccan support.
In the other part of the picture, Algeria didn’t get rid of its old policy towards Morocco that dates from the Cold War: isolating, surrounding, harassing, threatening… Any attempt or initiative in order to build a mutual space of peace and interests is marked. The eastern neighbor found itself facing realities on the ground: The rise of states which have withdrawn or frozen their recognition of the pseudo “SADR” and support the territorial integrity of Morocco, international and regional powers like USA, France, Spain, GCC countries… that are convinced by the Moroccan thesis and proposal to resolve the Sahara Issue as well as the growing and the vital role of Morocco in the global arrangements in Africa in the political, economic and security level.
By way of background, the Algerian foreign policy doctrine depends on a model of relations in which one state dominates regionally. In addition to its revolutionary and radical political system, it is not looking, for a pattern of integrated regional relations, and is not interested in the independent interaction between the countries of the region.
After more than 50 years of independence, Algerian leaders are still living in the memories, dreams, and glories of the War of Liberation. In the era of globalization and interdependence, the rigid employment of this doctrine can’t create an environment of cooperation and trust.
From 1984 and 2002, it’s evident that trajectories of geopolitical isolation in the Maghreb have been transforming. At a time when the Kingdom has been succeeding to rebuild its position, and overcoming constraint’s integration in the African space, it seems that Algerian regime puts itself into a narrow corner. All of its concerns revolve around Moroccan actions and initiatives, it has been trapped in a labyrinth of reactions. Furthermore, the “new” Algerian leader Abdelmajid Tebboun is still confined to “old” instruments of foreign policy: severance of diplomatic relations, closing borders and airspace, cutting off gas supplies, threatening by military forces, using conspiracy theory…
After losing its monopoly on the African Union’s Peace and Security Council, it has been facing difficulties to hold the Arab Summit due to the failure to achieve an initial consensus on the summit’s agenda. In sum, the Algerian regime isn’t conscient of its increasing impasse.
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