Preparations for Arab League Summit marred by Moroccan-Algerian dispute

The preparatory meetings on the foreign ministerial level for the 31st Arab League Summit “The Arab Reunion”, due on November 1-2 after three years of hiatus, have been marred by a dispute between Algeria and Morocco.

The preparatory meeting has been dominated by the difference between the two countries when Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita called upon the participating ministers to add the issue of “Iranian armament of drones to the [Front for the Liberation of the Saguia el Hamra and Rio de Oro] Polisario Front” on the summit’s agenda, Al Arabiya reported on Sunday.

The Moroccan minister asked to adopt a draft resolution condemning Iran’s interference in Arab affairs and “its arming of militias and sectarian and separatist groups including the Houthis and the separatist Polisario Front,” Al Arabiya added. Then, it was reported that the Moroccan delegation left the meeting, but the matter was denied by Moroccan officials to several media outlets.

However, Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra objected the Moroccan call, which was interrupted by Bourita, who said, "You have no right to refuse. There is a vote and unanimity.”

Another “provocative” act against the Moroccan delegation took place during the preparation meetings when Algeria International News Channel published a map of the Arab world on its website that contradicts the map adopted by the Arab League, causing infuriation to the Moroccan delegation. Later, the channel apologized, saying it was “a technical error from the graphics department.”

The Arab League distanced itself from the “provocative” map, saying that the League has no connection with any media organization.

“The General Secretariat confirms that the Arab League does not adopt an official map with political borders of the Arab countries, including the Kingdom of Morocco, and that it adopts a map of the Arab world without showing the borders between countries to enhance the concept of Arab unity,” the Arab League said in a statement on Saturday.

At the end of the ministerial meeting, sources at the Arab League told Russia Today that that Moroccan-Algerian dispute during the past days has been contained.

Assistant Arab League Secretary-General Hossam Zaki said in a media briefing on Sunday that the consensus on the agenda of the summit between the Arab foreign ministers took place “in a smooth atmosphere.”

The summit is scheduled to address the situations in occupied Palestine, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit said previously.

Algeria and Morocco have been disputing for several years over the Western Sahara, which Morocco considers as part of its territories, while the Algeria-backed Polisario seeks to claim its independency over the region.

On August 24, 2021, Algeria severed its diplomatic ties with Morocco over “continuous hostile actions” by Morocco, Algerian Foreign Minister Lamamra stated, according to the Algerian News Agency. Moreover, Algeria closed its aerospace to Moroccan military and civilian flights, saying this action was taken due to a “deep crisis.” However, the boycott of the relations was seen by some experts as a result of the Abrahamic Accord between some Arab countries including Morocco and Israel for recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the disputed area of Western Sahara, AFP reported.

Limited participation of Arab leaders

The French magazine Jeune Afrique reported on Sunday that King Mohammed VI has not yet decided to participate in the Arab Summit. Bourita told the magazine that King Mohammed VI voiced his intention to attend the summit and that he encourages other Arab leaders to attend. “We are now observing, and a decision will be taken if the conditions are met,” Bourita said.

Some Arab leaders, especially the Gulf leaders, will not attend the summit. The most noticeable absence is Saudi Arabia, as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman apologized for not attending the summit after doctors advised him not to make long trips due to a medical issue with his ear, the Saudi royal Diwan said in a statement. 

Five other leaders, from the UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain and Lebanon, also will not attend the summit, instead delegating other high-ranking officials. Kuwaiti Crown Prince Mishaal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and UAE Vice President Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum will represent their respective countries, Turkish Anadolu Agency reported from sources close the Arab League, while the foreign ministers of Bahrain and Oman will act on behalf of their leaders.

So far, eleven Arab leaders will attend the summit, including Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, as the Palestinian cause tops the summit’s agenda, and the presidents of Mauritania, Tunisia, Iraq and Djibouti. Jordanian King Abdullah II and Qatar‘s Emir Tamim bin Hamad will also attend the summit. In addition, the chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council of Yemen, the leader of the Sudanese Transitional Council and the leader of the Libyan Presidential Council will participate, OKza newspaper reported.