Portugal mediator between Morocco and Algeria
This hypothesis was raised by Riccardo Fabiani, head of the International Crisis Group for North Africa, in Lisbon, during a conference “North Africa: tensions and conflicts”.
In fact, Portugal accumulates characteristics that can facilitate the acceptance of these two North African neighbors, a fundamental condition for the creation of good will that have a good start, which in everything sets the pace of the work and determination for its success or failure. We are not the colonial power, we are members of the European Union and within this, we are considered a discreet country with an effective diplomacy, non-threatening and with easy and well-considered recourse to decision-making centers that matter, such as Washington, Paris, Madrid, Moscow , Cairo, Doha, Dakar and other Africans, who matter in this closer Africa.
For Moroccans, our passage through North Africa is so far back in time that they consider us and see us as good pirates, romantics who went out on the adventure. In fact, there is in collective memory and “Moroccan mythology” an “imaginary Aljubarrota Baker”, named Aicha Qandisha, the spirit of a Portuguese woman from the Republic of Salé (1627-1668), a safe haven for pirates and criminals, who is always invoked by women when their husbands don’t do what they want. Even in the occult, our diplomatic influence will have advantages. Another example is that of stories about our presence and constructions made and that invariably end with a “we must realize that the Portuguese at that time were seven meters tall!”
For the Algerians, there is above all an image of technical competence and seriousness, the result of the most recent emigration. For these, for example, no one builds bridges better than us. I speak of architecture and construction, but here too there could not be a better motto, for us to invest in this endeavor and diplomatic priority. The atmosphere between neighbors is reflected in what both peoples express on the street, in the market, in taxis. In more recent times, the “Mohammeds and Maryams” on both sides of the border saw themselves, identified themselves as one, only separated by politics and politicians they would know, so high were they. I was impressed when I saw Moroccans celebrating Algerian victories in any Football World Cup and when I asked why they were doing it, they said “they are the closest to us, what do you want, that we celebrate your Brazil?” Then I remembered that I’ve also supported Spaniards in another event, these and precisely for the same reason, they’re the closest and most political I’ve never met, they dictated the fate of “no good wind, no good marriage”!
This fraternal attitude among North Africans changed from November 2019 and as a generation in their 30s, 40s and 50s they are completely polluted by the misinformation of social networks, which once again feed the dreams sold in the Cold War. For example, these generations of Algerians believe that it is possible to bring down the monarchy in Morocco, oblivious to a “Moroccan genetic code” that shields them from progressive ideas.
I do not believe in the irrationality of a war between Morocco and Algeria, but I do believe in the pressure of the Algerian generals to settle the score for a lifetime, in the vulnerabilities of the Algerian President. On the other hand, I also believe that glue is fragile and in everything it will also depend on the moods in which the King of Morocco will wake up during the next year and Portugal, participating in this bridge, will affect a Mediterranean dimension to its curriculum, which is so lacking in us!
Politologist / Arabist www.maghreb-mahrek.pt
Write according to the old spelling