Intra-Maghrebi Relations: Unitary Myth and National Interests

The plan to create a united Maghreb has been present in the political dis-

course of North African leaders since their respective struggles for inde-

pendence. The constitutions of the five Maghrebi states (Algeria, Libya,

Mauritania, Morocco, and Tunisia) address regional unification, and offi-

cial statements made by political leaders cite historic, religious, cultural, and

economic reasons for creating a united Maghreb. Regardless of the official

declarations, concrete results have not materialized. Political differences,

distrust over security issues, and the Western Sahara conflict have brought the Maghrebi unification process to a standstill. Obstructions to unification

have undermined the region’s ability to negotiate as a bloc, resulting in

economic isolation and political marginalization, equally highlighted by the

tide of globalization.