Maghreban union secretary general in Algeria
Algeria-Maghreb, Politics, 4/19/1999

Secretary general of the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA) Mohamed Amamou is expected this Monday afternoon in Algiers, it was officially announced here.

His visit is part of the moves seeking to "reactivate" the Maghreban unity process, the spokesman for the Algerian foreign ministry, Abdelaziz Sbaa said.

The Arab Maghreb Union that was set up in Marrakesh in 1989 by Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia, has been paralyzed since 1994 due to strained relations between Morocco and Algeria over Algiers' direct involvement in the Sahara issue and due to Libya's criticism of the other UMA members' attitude in the Lockerbie crisis opposing Tripoli to some western countries.

The latest developments in the region will undoubtedly have a positive incidence on the reactivation of the Maghreban process.

As put by Tunisian president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali last week, there are clear signs heralding the reactivation of the UMA and the overcoming of the inaction phase that marked the union.

He said since the official visit he paid to Morocco last March 15-16, there are clear signs for the reactivation of the UMA, adding that Libya's success in settling the dispute opposing it to some western countries and the leadership stemming from the Algerian people's will at the early presidential elections in Algeria, kindle optimism as to the revival of the Maghreban Union and shall surely contribute to the efforts made to construct the Maghreb and foster brotherhood, cooperation and solidarity among Maghreban peoples.

Previous Stories:
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