Morocco is asserting its role in the Sahel region amid a decline in Algeria’s influence
The regional landscape in the Sahel is undergoing profound changes that are reshaping power dynamics and active roles. As Algeria struggles to maintain its traditional influence, facing clear rejection from Mali and Niger regarding any Algerian mediation, Morocco is emerging as a new force seeking to expand its influence through a comprehensive strategy that integrates economics, religion, and security.
An analysis published in “Jeune Afrique” by François Soudan, its editorial director, indicates that Algeria’s attempts to mediate in the conflicts between Mali and the Tuareg rebels have not found acceptance, due to strained trust and a history of accusations of supporting armed factions in the region. Mali’s withdrawal from peace agreements hosted by Algeria, and Niamey’s rejection of Algeria’s civilian transition plan, underscore the diminishing traditional role of Algeria as a regional mediator.
In contrast, Morocco relies on an ambitious strategic plan aimed at connecting landlocked Sahel countries to the Atlantic Ocean, reinforcing its position as a mediator between these countries, Europe, and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). This direction opens new economic and political opportunities for Morocco in a region that is essential for the future of stability and development.
