A recent Wilson Center report highlighted the divergent courses neighbors Morocco and Algeria are taking.
The report stated that Morocco is fostering relationships and investing in Sahel countries, whereas Algeria is concentrating on excluding Morocco from the Arab Maghreb Union.
Titled, “Maghreb Disunion: Morocco and Algeria’s Divergent Strategies in Shaping Future Regional Geopolitics,” the report emphasized that the Kingdom’s approach is showing promise, while Algeria’s is deepening its isolation.”
The same source explained that Morocco continues to promote economic integration with its latest initiative to link the Sahel countries to the Atlantic Ocean as part of an overall proactive strategy to expand its regional influence.”
On the other hand, Algeria formed a new advisory bloc with Tunisia and Libya, excluding Morocco and Mauritania. This move illustrates “Algeria’s insular, defensive stance driven by political rivalries rather than cooperative opportunities.”
This contrast emphasizes the different strategies, reads the report, and highlights Morocco’s growing strength in regional competition.
“Morocco’s Sahel Atlantic initiative can be seen as the culmination of a strategic shift from isolation to proactive engagement in African affairs, catalyzed by its return to the African Union in 2017,” highlighted Safae El Yaaqoubi, Senior Policy Analyst and the author of the report.
Since rejoining the African stage, Morocco has increased its influence through business expansion, diplomatic efforts, and security partnerships.
It explained that Morocco has become a leading African investor in banking, telecommunications, and construction. The Kingdom “has also become a key player in counterterrorism and security, providing military training and intelligence support to Sahel countries.”
The report additionally mentioned that Morocco has leveraged its religious heritage to counter radical ideologies in training imams and promoting religious education.
It explained that Morocco’s recent entry into the energy sector, traditionally dominated by Algeria through the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline, represents another significant shift.
This project underscores “Morocco’s broader ambitions to reshape its geopolitical standing and expand its influence across regional and global energy markets.”
The author mentioned that the country is expanding its reach into East and Southern Africa as well, with major projects like fertilizer plants in Ethiopia and Nigeria and increased trade with Kenya and Zambia.
These efforts aim to shift regional allegiances, subtly “influencing perceptions to garner support for its diplomatic agenda.”
On the other hand, the new alliance, which includes only Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya, “offers a revealing glimpse into the state of geopolitical affairs in the North African region.”
“This Algerian inward pivot attempts to realign regional alliance and counter Morocco’s increasing influence in the Sahel,” says the report.
It added that “by proposing a new union, Algeria seeks to reassert its influence and counterbalance Morocco’s expanding diplomatic and economic outreach.”
The same source explained that “Algeria’s long-standing role as a regional stabilizer and mediator is already being tested by geostrategic changes that are not in its favor.”
It elaborated further that changes in security alliances by Niger and Burkina Faso may reduce Algeria’s influence. Also, Algeria faces strained relations with Mali over the Algiers Accord’s termination and tensions with Niger over migrant policies, complicating its Sahel security efforts.
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