Arab Maghreb Union asks Algeria to pay its state contribution

The Arab Maghreb Union AMU issued on April 18 a detailed statement asking Algeria to pay its duties, while debunking the false arguments underlying Algeria’s hysterical reaction to the appointment of a Moroccan citizen as permanent representative of AMU to the African Union.

The statement was issued five days after Algeria’s blunt statement in which it showed a lack of respect to both Secretary General of AMU Taïeb Baccouche and African Union commission head Moussa Faki Mahamat.

AMU defended the appointment of Morocco’s Amina Salman as a permanent representative to the continent organization, adding that the decision was taken and has been known since 2018 with no objection.

The appointment was however delayed to 2023 due to the complications of the coronavirus, AMU said in a statement, noting that Salman represents AMU within the African Union and not Morocco.

AMU also reminded Algeria that Baccouche is still in charge of the General Secretariat of AMU after his mandate was renewed in line with AMU status.

Baccouche has received official letters from the Algerian government recognizing him as such, the most recent was in the new year and the Arab League Secretariat invited him to attend Algiers summit, but the host country failed to follow suit.

Afterwards, AMU highlighted the mismatch between words and actions. While Algiers claims to be attached to the Union, it was the only country that failed to pay its state contributions although its diplomats continue to receive their salaries.

“We hope that the attachment expressed by Algeria will be materialized by the payment of the remaining due amount and the return of the withdrawn diplomats,” said Baccouche in an AMU statement.