African Union: Morocco and Algeria compete for the vice-presidency of the institution

The headquarters of the African Union, in Addis Ababa.

RFI/David Kalfa

Text by: RFI Follow

1 min

The rivalry between Morocco and Algeria is, once again, a source of blockages within the African Union, whose 36th summit is being held in Addis Ababa this weekend of February 18-19.

The two countries are already competing behind the scenes to win the rotating presidency of the institution at the next summit in 2024, which must go to North Africa.

And neither of the two great rivals seems determined to give in.

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With our special correspondent in Addis Ababa,

Florence Morice

The battle between Morocco and Algeria has already begun.

It is played around the post of first vice-president of the

African Union for this year 2023

.

This seat is traditionally attributed to the country that takes over the rotating presidency the following year.

Algeria declared itself a candidate first, followed a few days later by Morocco, decided not to leave the keys to the institution to its great rival.

Since then, it's been blocked.

Result: the post of first vice-president, which was to be filled on Saturday, remained vacant.

From diplomatic sources, Mauritania was approached to apply and to unblock the situation.

But Nouakchott preferred to decline rather than play the risky role of referee.

Last year already, the post of first vice-president had remained vacant, for lack of consensus.

It was coveted by both Kenya and the Comoros.

Eventually, Nairobi gave in.

But in the background, there was already the rivalry between Morocco and Algeria, Algiers having aroused Kenya's candidacy at the last minute to prevent the Comoros, considered close to the Cherifian kingdom, from accessing the presidency of the organization. .

► Also to discover: From the OAU to the African Union: history and institutions [webdoc]

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  • African Union

  • Morocco

  • Algeria

  • Diplomacy

  • Comoros