The Algerian decision to sever diplomatic relations with Morocco marks a new stage after weeks of tension between the two countries. The Moroccan Foreign Ministry regrets “a completely unfair but expected decision”. What consequences can this shortfall have on trade between the two countries, in the region and abroad?
The consequences at the severance of diplomatic relations between Algeria and Morocco will be mainly of an economic nature. The topic of concern to Morocco in particular is the possibility of closing the Maghreb-Europa gas pipeline, which has connected Algerian fields to Europe since 1996 via the Moroccan empire and whose contract expires in October next year.
On this subject, Algiers left the issue open by saying that he will return to the company Sonatrach to decide. But at the same time, Algeria has developed the Medgaz gas pipeline directly to Spain. Algae can therefore use this line instead of the Moroccan gas pipeline, which transports 8.2 million m3 to Spain.
A new blow to the Arab Maghreb Union With regard to the movement of people between the two countries, Alger said on Tuesday that the consulates in the two countries will remain open and that this decision will not affect Moroccans living in Algeria, or in Algeria in Morocco.
From a diplomatic point of view, such a decision is another blow toArab Maghreb Union, blocked for many years due to the difficult relations between Algiers and Rabat. The crime is likely to affect the African Union, which risks being divided between supporters of the two countries.
Diplomatic reactions did not wait long. Morocco, through the Moroccan Foreign Ministry, lamented “a completely unjustified but expected decision.” Rabat “categorically rejects the misleading and even absurd pretexts,” he added on Twitter. For its part, Paris on Wednesday called on Algeria and its major neighbor rival to return to a logic of “dialogue” in order for “stability” in the Maghreb to be interesting.
.
