Libya seeking reunion with Maghreb states

Mustafa Kamel

Libya is trying to rejoin the North African fold, having called for reviving the Arab Maghreb Union which was founded in 1989 and is made up of Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco and Mauritania, along with Libya.

The new development follows the formation of a unity government in Libya that aspires to put Libya in a position of leadership in the region.

Chance for return

The recent months witnessed attempts for reviving the Arab Maghreb Union, years after the union was frozen. These calls were especially made by Libya which seems to be on the road to ending its internal unrest and is seeking chances for returning to its position in the region.

Libya should be the current head of the union. It wants to have a chance of reunion with the members of the grouping. The fact is that Tripoli has economic objectives in mind.

During his visit to Libya in March this year, Tunisian President Qais Saeed called for reviving the union.

“We will work together so that the union can return to its past strengths,” the Tunisian president said.

Since its founding, the union faced many hurdles. The leaders of the member states of the union have not met since 1994 when it a summit was held in Tunis.

In March 2020, union Secretary-General Taïeb Baccouche referred to an opportunity for holding a summit meeting of the member states of the union that year.

He called for resuming of the work of the union. Nonetheless, the aspired summit was ever held.