Diplomatic Fallout: Moroccan Calls for Nasser Bourita’s Resignation After Crushing Defeat to Algeria at African Union

BY: Dr. Hana Saada

Algiers Outmaneuvers Rabat in Strategic Vote, Leaving Moroccan Diplomacy in Crisis

Algiers, Algeria | February 17th, 2025 — The humiliating defeat of Morocco’s candidate, Latifa Akharbach, to Algeria’s Salma Malika Haddadi in the election for the position of Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission has sparked an unprecedented wave of backlash within the Moroccan political and diplomatic circles. The loss, which unfolded over seven grueling rounds of voting, exposed deep vulnerabilities within Morocco’s foreign policy apparatus, with Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita at the center of the storm. Critics argue that his failure to anticipate the inevitable outcome and withdraw the Moroccan candidate before the final vote resulted in a calculated embarrassment for the Cherifian regime.

The election, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, saw Algeria’s nominee steadily outpacing her Moroccan rival, leaving no real hope for a Moroccan victory. Yet, despite clear indications that Algeria was on the verge of securing the required quorum, Bourita’s persistence in keeping Akharbach in the race until the bitter end transformed the loss into what critics are calling a “deliberate diplomatic suicide.” This, coupled with Morocco’s overall decline in influence within the African Union, has intensified calls for accountability.

One of the most scathing criticisms came from the Moroccan publication TelQuel, which acknowledged the magnitude of the defeat and its ramifications for the monarchy’s regional strategy. The newspaper, known for its proximity to the royal establishment, did not mince words in its analysis, declaring: “African Union: Morocco in the Peace and Security Council, a Calculated Defeat.” The editorial further painted the defeat as an unmistakable testament to Rabat’s waning leverage within the continental bloc, despite years of diplomatic maneuvering and economic investments in African nations.

TelQuel likened the election ordeal to a “stress test”—a term derived from medical evaluations of heart function under extreme exertion—suggesting that Morocco’s diplomatic corps had buckled under the relentless pressure of countering Algeria’s expanding clout. The piece also drew historical parallels, evoking memories of Morocco’s forced withdrawal from the Organization of African Unity in 1984 following Algeria’s successful campaign for the recognition of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), a move that isolated Rabat from African political dynamics for decades.

Notably, TelQuel was among the few Moroccan outlets that openly admitted the intense nature of the competition between Algeria and Morocco in this election. In contrast, much of the Moroccan media landscape initially sought to downplay Akharbach’s candidacy, only acknowledging her participation post-defeat. The newspaper also ominously hinted that Bourita’s tenure as Morocco’s top diplomat could be drawing to a close, with mounting speculation that King Mohammed VI may soon move to replace him in a bid to salvage Morocco’s international standing.

The Moroccan public’s frustration with Bourita has been further exacerbated by the perception that he failed to shield the monarchy from what many see as a diplomatic fiasco of epic proportions. Critics argue that had he pulled Akharbach from the race earlier, the loss could have been mitigated, or at the very least, its repercussions minimized. Instead, the extended nature of the contest and Morocco’s gradual decline across seven rounds only served to deepen the humiliation.

Adding to the political turbulence, a bizarre episode unfolded when Hespress, one of Morocco’s leading digital news outlets, inexplicably published—and then swiftly deleted—a report falsely announcing the death of King Mohammed VI. The unprecedented blunder, which lasted for mere minutes before being removed, led to widespread speculation that the palace or government was attempting to divert public attention from the crushing diplomatic defeat at the African Union.

Meanwhile, Moroccan international law expert Sabri Hou, a specialist in the Western Sahara conflict, did not hold back in his rebuke of Bourita’s handling of the election. In a scathing article, Hou lambasted the decision to challenge Algeria in an African Union vote without first securing a guaranteed victory. “Engaging in a head-to-head contest against Algeria at a continental or international level requires meticulous assessment and an overwhelming probability of success,” he warned. “In situations where uncertainty looms, it is far wiser to refrain from running and instead support a candidate from a friendly nation.”

Hou went on to denounce Bourita’s approach as “reckless” and called for accountability, asserting that “Morocco cannot afford errors in its diplomatic battles, particularly against Algeria. Every setback must be met with serious repercussions.” His remarks have only intensified the chorus of voices demanding Bourita’s resignation, as Moroccan policymakers scramble to contain the fallout from the African Union debacle.

For the Algerian diplomatic establishment, however, this victory marks yet another milestone in its strategic resurgence on the African continent. By securing the Deputy Chairperson position, Algeria has reaffirmed its ability to rally support across the African Union, further consolidating its influence in key decision-making bodies.

 

Translated from:

https://www.echoroukonline.com/%d9%85%d8%b7%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a8-%d9%85%d8%ba%d8%b1%d8%a8%d9%8a%d8%a9-%d8%a8%d8%b1%d8%a3%d8%b3-%d8%a8%d9%88%d8%b1%d9%8a%d8%b7%d8%a9-%d8%a8%d8%b9%d8%af-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%87%d8%b2%d9%8a%d9%85%d8%a9

 

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