A Thaw in Relations? Moroccan and Tunisian Leaders Meet in France
Could a recent encounter between Moroccan and Tunisian leaders signal a warming of relations after a two-year diplomatic freeze?
The relationship between Morocco and Tunisia has been strained since August 2022. This followed Tunisian President Kais Saied’s decision to host Brahim Ghali, leader of the Polisario Front, at the eighth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 8) in Tunis. Morocco, which considers the Polisario Front a separatist movement challenging its claim to Western Sahara, viewed this as a serious affront.
The fallout was swift. Morocco recalled its ambassador to Tunisia, Hassan Tariq, for consultations, labeling the meeting a “serious and unprecedented act.” Tunisia responded in kind, recalling its ambassador to Morocco, Mohamed Ben Ayad. This diplomatic standoff resulted in a freeze in official relations, halting meetings between delegations from both countries.
However, a glimmer of hope emerged on August 15, 2024, during the international commemoration of the 80th anniversary of Operation Dragoon in Provence, France. Nabil Ammar, Tunisia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, crossed paths with Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, representing King Mohammed VI, at the event hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron.
Images released by the Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs showed the two leaders in conversation, sparking speculation about a potential thaw in relations. The Tunisian newspaper Tuniscope described the meeting as “important,” reporting that Akhannouch and Ammar “exchanged smiles and views on ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Tunisia and Morocco.” The paper suggested that the encounter could be a ”chance to confirm the common desire to develop economic and political relations between the two brotherly countries and end the current situation.”
While it remains to be seen whether this encounter will lead to a full restoration of diplomatic ties, it marks the first public interaction between high-ranking officials from both countries since the 2022 crisis. The meeting, taking place on neutral ground and within the context of a larger international event, could provide a much-needed opportunity for dialogue and reconciliation.
The potential for improved relations holds significant implications for both nations. Morocco and Tunisia share deep historical and cultural ties, and increased cooperation could unlock economic opportunities and strengthen regional stability. As the international community watches closely, the coming months will reveal whether this meeting marks the beginning of a new chapter in Moroccan-Tunisian relations.
