Maghreb

Algeria makes a negative exception by boycotting the Arab-Russian Forum in Marrakech

The forum presents a favorable opportunity to enhance Russian-Arab economic relations, especially for Morocco, which Moscow sees as a promising regional pole to strengthen Russian presence in the African continent


Delegations from various Arab countries gather in the Moroccan city of Marrakech to attend the sixth edition of the Cooperation Forum (Russia-Arab World), reflecting Morocco’s significant role as an active force in the region and influential in important issues, strengthening Arab-Russian relations in economic and cultural fields. However, Algeria has chosen to abstain, making a negative exception that indicates its positions driven by a policy of gratuitous animosity towards the Kingdom.

On Tuesday, “bilateral meetings” took place in Marrakech, bringing together the Minister of Foreign Affairs and African Cooperation and Moroccans Abroad, Nasser Bourita, with several Arab foreign ministers. The presence of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is highlighted, expected to lead his country’s delegation during the forum to discuss cooperation with several Arab countries, with Morocco, currently chairing the ministerial-level session of the Arab League, at the forefront.

The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also announced that Minister Sameh Shoukry headed to Marrakech on Tuesday to participate in the forum’s meetings, while Algeria’s absence and its boycott of this important event do not seem to have any impact on the forum’s proceedings and agenda. The forum is a favorable opportunity to enhance Russian-Arab economic relations, particularly for Morocco, where Moscow relies on it as a promising regional pole to strengthen Russian presence in the African continent. Algeria’s decision to boycott is known, betting on solid relations with Russia from the start. Still, it insists on making a negative exception in every Arab event hosted by Morocco, reflecting an attempt to harm its interests rather than focusing on development and addressing its internal crises.

Algeria is losing its place in many important international events hosted by Morocco, as demonstrated by the Algerian Football Federation’s decision last week to boycott the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards ceremony held in Marrakech. This move was in solidarity with the “exclusion” of Algerian international player Riyad Mahrez, the striker for Saudi club Al-Ahli, from the final list of nominees for the Best African Player award. Many observers commented that Morocco’s achievements have become a clear “obstacle” for Algeria, extending beyond politics to other domains such as culture and sports in recent years.

Some argue that Algeria insists on bringing its political conflict with Morocco over the Moroccan Sahara to all occasions, whether economic, sports, or entertainment, by exploiting events held on its territory to settle scores with Morocco. This has been evident in various sports events, and the administrators of Algerian football accuse CAF of favoring Morocco and claim that Moroccans control its decisions. Observers believe that what Algeria is doing is an attempt to distract from Morocco’s recent sports achievements and to regain its natural position in the African sports arena.

In the context of the forum, the General Secretariat of the Arab League announced that Sunday witnessed the “second meeting of the Senior Officials Committee of the Joint Arab-Russian Forum,” as part of preparations for the sixth session at the ministerial level. The meeting included the Arab Troika for Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Mauritania, jointly chaired by Hisham Weld Essalhi, Acting Permanent Representative of Morocco to the Arab League (currently presiding over the ministerial-level session of the Council of the Arab League), and Giorgueï Borissenko, Russia’s Ambassador to Egypt. Additionally, Ambassador Khaled bin Mohammed Mnzlawi, Assistant Secretary-General – Head of the International Political Affairs Sector at the General Secretariat of the Arab League, participated.

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