As far back as I can recall, my long-standing commitment to anti-colonialism has always gone hand-in-hand with the dream of a united Maghreb. 

The patriots and nationalists who share these ideas were moved and driven, from the outset, by the assassination of the Tunisian trade unionist Ferhat Hachad; the armed struggle of the Algerian National Liberation Front (FLN), and our unanimous outrage over the French military’s abduction, in 1956, of a group of FLN leaders; solidarity with our Mauritanian brothers; and, as founding source of inspiration, the epic story of Abdelkrim El Khattabi, the legendary guerrilla leader of the Rif War, in the 1920s.

When the fight being waged by our Algerian brothers took such a violent turn, Moroccans and Tunisians, despite having accepted the truncated independence offered by the French and Spanish protectorates, continued to provide valuable, rear-base support to the Algerian patriots.

The promise of a united Maghreb

For more than seven decades, we believed, and continue to believe, in the promise of a united Maghreb. This same idea, that our countries naturally complement each other, is guided by the declarations and the socio-economic programs adopted by our first post-independence governments (most notably the Moroccan government chaired by Abdellah Ibrahim). We held and continue to hold on to this dream as the best way to meet our challenges as young countries seeking to develop and build modern states.

I myself maintain very strong ties with Algeria, where I spent part of my time in exile. Above all, I have established and developed ongoing and very rich relationships with many Maghrebian intellectuals and activists.

These same people contribute ideas and publications within the Mohamed Bensaid Aït Idder Center for Studies and Research (CERM), in Rabat, where among other things, we’ve demonstrated how much the failure to integrate has cost our countries in terms of lost opportunities and Gross Domestic Product growth potential.

Sahara conflict sidelining the dreams of unity

It saddens me, for that reason, to see how little defense there is of the Maghreb project, which is being compromised further still by rising tensions among the countries involved, particularly between Morocco and Algeria. I believe, in fact, that the Western Sahara conflict is being used as a pretext to sideline the dream, so cherished among our people, of a united Maghreb.

Intellectuals are dealing the Maghreb project a blow by resigning, by turning their backs on an aspiration that is still alive despite all the ups and downs our countries have had over decades.

It’s worth acknowledging the efforts made to establish the five-nation Arab Maghreb Union (AMU), despite the Sahara issue, as borders remained open as long as they were, prior to their closure in recent years.

Here at CERM, we took the bull by the horns by preparing an international symposium on the Sahara issue and inviting all the parties involved.

We opted for dialogue, an exchange of viewpoints that would hopefully enrich the debate, make it more fruitful and open, so that people from different parts of the Maghreb can engage and relaunch our dream of a united Maghreb.

Unfortunately, the symposium did not take place as planned. But we have published submissions from a number of people in the region who are committed to keeping hope alive and believe that our failure to integrate only exacerbates dependence and underdevelopment in our countries and region. Disunity darkens the horizon for our youth and future generations.

Intellectuals must keep the dream of unity alive

I remain hopeful. I am convinced that Maghrebian intellectuals, working as individuals and collectively, and in a spirit of openness, earnestness, and mutual respect, can overcome the obstacles we face.

Firstly, we must hold Maghrebian intellectuals and media outlets accountable for the alarming and unprecedented downward spiral in media coverage, particularly when dealing with scientific or artistic matters.

We are hoping for a debate that, as starting point, allows us to:

• Free ourselves from the legacy of colonialism.
• Look at borders as opportunities for cooperation and  development, not as barriers.
• Focus on what unites rather than separates us.
• Distribute and diversify investment in the Maghreb region.
• Create new opportunities for constructive cooperation in the fields of culture, arts, sports, communication, and science.

The real challenge is learning how to use the Greater Sahara as a bridge for establishing true cooperation, first-off, among the countries in the Maghreb, and afterwards with other African countries, Europe, Asia, and the rest of the world.

The approach we propose is as simple as it is responsible, and calls for stakeholders (working together but without government interference) to:

• Make a joint effort to stop focusing on our differences and to push back against the current, divisive media narrative by organizing cultural, scientific, and sporting events between our countries.
• Encourage historical research, with a particular focus on intellectuals from the former colonial powers, to better understand the origins of the problems that have impacted our countries and our region.
• Organize, promote, and embrace Maghrebian research on our recent history: the different emancipation paths from colonialism, particularly those of Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco, the Sand War of 1963, the emergence of the Polisario, and the socio-economic programs that have been implemented.
• Make a shared effort to celebrate key, symbolically important figures: Emir Abdelkader, Abdelkrim El Khattabi, Omar El Mokhtar, Hormat Ould Babana, Mohammed V, Aboulkassem Chabbi, Morsli, Aouita, the RaÏ, the Allaoui, the Aita.
• Encourage initiatives involving members of the Maghreb diaspora.
• Exchange ideas related to Arab and African migration issues.
  
  

As saddened as I am by the lost opportunities, I remain hopeful about Maghreb unity, and look forward, above all, to greater involvement in this strategic project from our young people.

Mohamed Bensaid Aït Idder
Maghrebian citizen in Morocco

Mohamed Bensaid Aït Idder is a legendary nationalist leader who was one of the founders of the Moroccan Liberation Army that fought against French and Spanish colonial rule in Morocco. In 1963 he was sentenced to death in absentia and lived many years in exile. He remains an emblematic figure in Morocco’s left-wing opposition.