The very influential German Institute for International and Security Affairs has published a note in which it is concerned about Morocco’s “hegemony” over Algeria and Tunisia in the area of development.
In a note entitled “Maghreb rivalries on sub-Saharan Africa: Algeria and Tunisia seek to follow in Morocco’s footsteps”, the German Institute for International and Security Affairs calls on Berlin and the European Union to curb Morocco ” in its hegemonic temptations over the Maghreb countries and in particular to stop helping the growth and economic development of Morocco, which thus slows down the emergence of Algeria and Tunisia, ”writes the information portal Atlantico.
The publication of this note comes in the midst of the diplomatic crisis between Rabat and Berlin and comes from a very influential think-tank in Germany. The think tank, which is called in German the StiftungWissenschaftundPolitik (SWP), is known in particular for influencing, since its creation in 1962, the broad political orientations of the German governments.
But what does the note was written by Isabelle Werenfels, senior flow for the Middle East and Africa division say? It first comments on developments in the Maghreb region and notes that Morocco has taken a head start, both economically and geopolitically, over its Maghreb neighbors. “While Tunisia falls into oblivion and insignificance, Algeria is trying to overcome its difficulties and catch up with Morocco, which would do everything to hinder its progress.”
This situation described as “unbalanced” by the editor of the note must, according to her, end. Germany and the European Union more broadly must “thwart Algeria’s growing sense of uselessness, strengthen the Tunisian economy, and put Morocco’s hegemonic ambitions into perspective and thus attenuate the negative dynamic of rivalry.”
For our colleagues from Atlantico, the publication of this note, which should have remained secret, was not made public at random. It comes at a time when diplomatic relations between Berlin and Rabat are almost broken and when Morocco is accused by certain parties, in the context of the Pegasus Affair, of having spied on several European personalities.
