At the dawn of the elections scheduled for February 2025, the fight for the post of vice-president of the African Union Commission reveals the intrinsic limits of the Algerian file, quickly designed to thwart that of Rabat. Faced with a Moroccan candidacy supported by structured diplomacy and concrete achievements, the Algerian project seems to reveal not only a manifest weakness in its conception, but also a chronic inability to adapt to changes in pan-African trends.
A file marked by structural weaknesses
Barlamane.com was able to focus on the broad outlines of the Algerian positioning. They show a flagrant absence of strategic levers to convince Member States. Unlike Morocco, which relies on effective economic diplomacy and strong multilateral partnerships, the Algerian candidacy relies on declining, weakened and ideologically anchored alliances in the past. This dependence on obsolete rhetoric hinders Algiers’ ability to establish itself as a constructive actor in an African bloc increasingly oriented towards the pragmatic.
Furthermore, the internal management of Algerian foreign relations is largely overshadowed by a persistent institutional crisis, characterized by a lack of strategic perspective and a fragmentation of decision-making between the civil and military apparatus. These deficiencies result in an inability to present concrete projects or to formulate a credible offer meeting the needs of African countries, whether in terms of economic development, security or regional integration.
A quest for support perceived as insistent and clumsy
One of the most critical points of the Algerian issue lies in its approach aimed at uniting support. Rather than relying on convincing combinations, Algiers seems to be increasing the number of approaches, sometimes perceived as unwelcome, to African states. This quest, which is close to diplomatic begging, exposes the weakness of its anchoring within the new interactions of African cooperation. In the absence of promising projects or significant funding, Algiers’ gradual disengagement from the continental scene has become a reality that no one can deny. Several observers also note the defensive and restrictive nature of its approach, which mainly targets Moroccan ambitions.
The controlled rise of the Moroccan file
Conversely, the Moroccan file is based on a methodical rise in power. Since its reintegration into the African Union in 2017, Morocco has deployed a strengthened and multidimensional strategy, structured around a powerful network of bilateral alliances and structuring projects with high added value. These issues, such as the Africa-Atlantic gas pipeline or massive investments in energy infrastructure, give Rabat a position as a pivotal player on the continent.
The Moroccan candidacy, a reliable source tells us, also symbolizes a renewal of diplomatic practices, with an approach resolutely focused on institutional innovation and listening to African priorities. Unlike Algeria, which seems locked in a logic of diplomatic survival, Morocco is proposing a clear, coherent offer aligned with the aspirations of the member countries of the African Union.
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