Alemania revela la hegemonía de Marruecos en los países del Magreb
A few months after the diplomatic conflict between Rabat and Berlin, the German Institute for International and Security Studies (SWP) urges the European Union to "put Morocco's hegemonic ambitions in perspective" while fostering cooperation with the rest of the Maghreb countries. The Berlin-based think-tank was founded in 1962 and has been advising the German parliament ever since. Therefore, the article 'Maghrebi Rivalries in Sub-Saharan Africa: Algeria and Tunisia seek to follow in Morocco's footsteps', published in 2020 by Isabelle Werenfels, may reflect the views of German politicians even though it is not an official document.
In short, the text points to Morocco's rapid progress compared to its neighbours Algeria and Tunisia. Of Rabat, it extols its significant weight in the rest of the African continent. "Morocco has greatly expanded its presence in sub-Saharan Africa in the last decade, especially economically', the SWP asserts. By contrast, the text explains how Algeria has lost influence to Moroccan expansion. "Morocco's rise on the continent could be described as almost traumatic for Algeria". Nevertheless, it recalls Algeria's presence in some international organisations. "For almost two decades, an Algerian has held the post of AU (African Union) Peace and Security Commissioner, which also oversees the Peace and Security Council," Werenfels' article stresses. "Algeria is home to an important AU institution, the African Centre for the Study and Research on Terrorism (ACSRT)," it adds.
Regarding Tunisia, the text discusses its evolution as a political actor on the continent. "Tunisia has gradually expanded its engagement in sub-Saharan Africa, as evidenced by its accession to ECOWAS in 2017 as an observer, and its accession to the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) in 2018." However, it also points out some of its problems that prevent it from gaining influence in the region, such as "slow decision-making, an overwhelmed parliament and lack of political continuity".
Throughout the text, Morocco's economic power is noted. "Casablanca is, by volume, the continent's largest financial centre and Morocco is far ahead in trade and investment in sub-Saharan Africa". There are also many references to its political relevance on the continent. "Much more research on Africa is carried out in Morocco. King Hassan II founded an Institute of African Studies in 1987; since then a growing number of Moroccan think-tanks have emerged to work on sub-Saharan Africa," he recalls. He also refers to the 'made-in-Morocco' health protection kits that the Kingdom sent to several African countries during the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic.
Within the limitations of the Maghreb countries, the SWP lists some of Morocco's challenges, such as the "little resonance among political parties" or civil society's complaints about companies linked to the monarchy, which, according to the article, "are the ones making the profits". On the other hand, it points out the "discrimination and violence" suffered by sub-Saharan citizens between the authorities and the Maghrebi population.
Finally, the German centre calls on the EU to "focus more on trilateral economic and development cooperation". If Europe consolidates its position as a power on which the Maghreb and sub-Saharan African countries can rely, the growth of other external actors such as China, India, Turkey and the Gulf states will diminish. It would also strengthen the European-African axis.
