What consequences after the breakdown of relations between Algeria and Morocco?
The Algerian and Moroccan flags during a diplomatic meeting in Rabat.
(Illustration) AFP - ABDELHAK SENNA
Text by: RFI Follow
3 min
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 unjustified but expected decision".
What consequences can this rupture have on trade between the two countries, on the region and beyond?
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The repercussions of
the severance of diplomatic relations
between Algeria and Morocco will above all be of an economic nature.
The subject that worries Morocco the most is in particular the possibility of the closure of the Maghreb-Europe gas pipeline, which has linked Algerian fields to Europe since 1996 via the Moroccan kingdom and whose contract expires next October.
On this subject, Algiers left the question open by affirming that it will be up to the
Sonatrach
company
to decide.
But at the same time, Algeria has developed the Medgaz pipeline, bringing gas directly to Spain.
Algiers could therefore use this line instead of the Moroccan gas pipeline, which transports 8.2 million m3 to Spain.
A new blow for the Arab Maghreb Union
Regarding the movement of people between the two countries, Algiers said on Tuesday that the consulates of the two countries will remain open and that this decision will not affect Moroccans residing in Algeria, nor Algerians in
Morocco
.
From a diplomatic point of view, such a decision constitutes a new blow for the
Arab Maghreb Union
, blocked for many years because of the difficult relations between Algiers and Rabat. The break will likely have an impact on the African Union which risks being divided between supporters of the two countries.
The diplomatic reactions were not long in coming.
Morocco, through the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, regretted "
a completely unjustified but expected decision
".
Rabat "
categorically rejects the fallacious pretexts, even absurd, which underlie it
", he adds on Twitter.
For its part, Paris called on Wednesday Algeria and its great neighbor rival to return to a logic of "
dialogue
" in the interest of "
stability"
in the Maghreb.
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Algeria
Morocco
Diplomacy