Algeria’s 70th Revolution Anniversary Parade Reveals Morocco’s Regional Isolation: Image of Maghreb Leaders Highlights Morocco’s Marginalization Amidst Regional Celebrations, Symbolizing a Growing Divide

BY: Dr. Hana Saada  

Algiers, Algeria | November 02nd, 2024 — A powerful image emerged from Algeria’s 70th Revolution Day celebrations, vividly illustrating Morocco’s isolation within the Maghreb. As Algeria marked this milestone, the gathering of leaders from across the region highlighted a stark contrast: while heads of state from Tunisia, Mauritania, Libya, and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) stood united, Morocco was conspicuously absent. This absence starkly underscored the tensions surrounding Morocco’s stance on regional and international issues, notably its normalization with the Zionist entity and its assertive foreign policy toward neighbors.

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune hosted his counterparts, including Tunisian President Kais Saied, Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, Libyan Presidential Council Head Mohamed al-Menfi, and SADR President Brahim Ghali. The photograph of these leaders together sent a symbolic message to the region and beyond: while the Maghreb’s vision aligns around solidarity and shared values, Morocco’s policies have increasingly led it down an isolated path, separating it from the broader regional consensus.

Morocco’s attempts to challenge Algeria’s regional standing, especially its recent claims of Algeria’s alleged isolation, were swiftly undercut by this gathering. The image emphasized not only Algeria’s deep-rooted diplomatic ties but also the solidarity it shares with neighboring nations that reject Morocco’s recent policies. These policies, particularly Morocco’s controversial decision to normalize relations with the Zionist entity, have led to significant disapproval among its regional counterparts, who view the decision as contrary to longstanding Maghreb values of unity and support for the Palestinian cause.

This moment of celebration for Algeria also revealed a paradox: while Morocco publicly pursues a regional leadership role, it has struggled to maintain genuine alliances within its own neighborhood. The regional divide has been exacerbated by Morocco’s unwavering pursuit of normalization, which has alienated it from countries that either oppose or carefully navigate relations with the Zionist entity. Other nations in the region, including those that have pursued diplomatic ties with that criminal entity, have issued statements condemning recent violence in Gaza and supporting Palestinian rights—a stance Morocco has notably refrained from adopting.

Moreover, Morocco’s reliance on the Zionist entity for defense technology, notably through recent naval exchanges and weapons shipments, has drawn significant criticism. While Spain recently banned Zionist vessels from docking at its ports in protest of the ongoing violence in Gaza, Morocco has continued to welcome these shipments, further isolating it from both regional neighbors and broader Arab public opinion. This has added fuel to long-standing grievances over Morocco’s history of covert intelligence-sharing with the criminal entity, tracing back to King Hassan II’s era, which notably included espionage at the 1965 Arab League summit held in Rabat.

Morocco’s diplomatic stance has extended to assertive territorial claims, most notably over Western Sahara, leading to strained relations not only with Algeria but also with Mauritania. Morocco’s attempts to expand influence, its contentious policies in the Sahara, and its failure to issue a condemnation of violence in Gaza have drawn intense scrutiny. The growing regional divide underscores the consequences of policies that prioritize expansion and normalization over solidarity and cooperation.

In contrast, the image of regional leaders united in Algeria highlighted an alternative vision for the Maghreb—one rooted in shared cultural and political values. The celebration underscored Algeria’s commitment to its foundational principles of sovereignty, independence, and solidarity with liberation movements worldwide, principles that resonate powerfully across the region and have fortified its diplomatic relations.

As Algeria moves forward in commemorating its revolutionary legacy, this symbolic gathering reaffirms a vision for a unified Maghreb, one in which Morocco’s increasingly divergent path seems less aligned with the broader aspirations of its neighbors. The moment reinforces that Algeria remains a central figure within the Maghreb, firmly positioned on principles of regional solidarity and resistance to external influence, reflecting a path forward that resonates across the region.

Translated with adaptation from:

https://www.echoroukonline.com/%d8%a7%d8%b3%d8%aa%d8%b9%d8%b1%d8%a7%d8%b6-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%ac%d8%b2%d8%a7%d8%a6%d8%b1-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%b9%d8%b3%d9%83%d8%b1%d9%8a-%d9%8a%d8%ac%d8%b3%d9%91%d8%af-%d8%b9%d8%b2%d9%84%d8%a9-%d8%a7

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