El Ghazouani: Mauritania Offers Hand in Restoring Ties Between Maghreb Countries

Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani said his country is ready to play a major role in restoring cohesion between Maghreb countries.

Rabat – Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani said his country is ready to play a major role in restoring cohesion between Maghreb countries.

Without directly referencing Morocco and Algeria, the Mauritanian president spoke about tensions between countries in the Maghreb region in an interview with Lebanese magazine “Iqtissad wal Al A’amal.”

In the interview, El Ghazouani said it is “unimaginable how much the peoples of the region pay for the failure of a strong, efficient and integrated Maghreb union.”

He also expressed deep concern about the factors of tension, wishing to see an end to the crisis and a revival of the Arab Maghreb Union.

This is not the first time the Mauritanian President offered mediation between Morocco and Algeria.

In an interview with L’Opinion in October, the Mauritanian President said he was deeply concerned about Algeria’s decision to sever relations with Morocco.

Algeria decided to sever ties with Morocco in August, accusing Rabat of undermining its security.

Morocco has been vocally upset with Algeria’s decision, denying Algeria’s unfounded allegations.

The Maghreb union project has been witnessing delays for many years due to regional crises, including the Morocco-Algeria tension.

Morocco has called for restoration of ties between Rabat and Algiers for a united Maghreb in favor of the region’s development and prosperity.

A few weeks before its decision to suspend ties with Morocco, King Mohammed VI renewed his initiative, urging Algeria to engage in a frank dialogue to end the political stalemate and restore relations.

In his Throne Day speech, the King stressed the need to establish unity to overcome challenges facing the Maghreb region, including those related to security threats and closed borders between Rabat and Algiers.

The monarch stressed Morocco’s readiness to sincerely work together with Algeria “without conditions” for the development of bilateral ties.