Rabat — As the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU) marks the 37th anniversary of its establishment on February 17, an Amazigh organization has called for the dissolution and the creation of a new regional framework.
The World Amazigh Assembly (AMA) had sent a formal letter to the foreign ministers of Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania, Libya, and Tunisia urging them to dissolve the union and initiate discussions on an alternative structure for regional cooperation.
In its statement, the AMA argued that the designation “Arab Maghreb” does not reflect what it described as North Africa’s historical and Amazigh identity. The group called for what it termed a “serious and responsible dialogue” to reconsider the future of regional integration.
Rachid Raha, president of the AMA, proposed the establishment of a “Union of Tamazgha,” modeled in part on the European Union. He said the proposed entity should be grounded in North Africa’s historical heritage and aligned with international human rights frameworks, including the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 2007 United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
The call comes as the Arab Maghreb Union continues to face institutional stagnation. Founded in 1989 in Marrakech to promote economic and political integration among its five member states, the bloc has remained largely inactive for years due to persistent political disputes, particularly between some of its key members.
No official response from the member states had been announced at the time of publication.