Ahmad 
Algerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Attaf, held his first meeting with the new Secretary-General of the Arab Maghreb Union, Tarek Ben Salem, in a move considered a sign of overcoming the differences that existed with his predecessor, Tayeb El-Baccouche.
The meeting, which was held in the Ghanaian capital, Accra, is a new beginning for a diplomatic era in the leadership of the Union, months after understandings between Algeria, Tunisia, and Tripoli regarding organizing a periodic tripartite presidential summit.
During the meeting, Attaf congratulated Tariq Ben Salem on his appointment to the position of Secretary-General, praising the Tunisian decision to choose a veteran diplomat, expressing Algeria’s readiness to support Ben Salem in his duties, and stressing Algeria’s commitment to achieving the aspirations of the Maghreb peoples.
In a related context, Presidential Council President Mohamed Menfi received Tariq Ben Salem in Accra, where they discussed ways to strengthen the work of the Union and activate its role on the African continent. The discussions included ways to coordinate between the African Union and the Arab Maghreb Union, in addition to discussing the reactivation of the ministerial committees and administrative offices of the Union.
Tunisia appointed Tariq Ben Salem as the new Secretary-General of the Union in May 2024, to succeed Tayeb Bakoush, who had held the position since 2016. This change came after widespread criticism of Tayeb Bakoush from Algeria, which attributed the faltering Maghreb work to its mismanagement of the Federation.
In the context of strengthening regional cooperation, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, his Tunisian counterpart Kais Saied, and President of the Presidential Council Mohamed Menfi agreed in April 2024 to hold a periodic tripartite Maghreb meeting every three months. The first meeting has already been organized at the Carthage Palace, where discussions dealt with vital issues such as securing… Borders and development projects.
Regarding the upcoming tripartite summit, scheduled to be held in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, this July, the current understandings remain promising for a more coordinated future between the member states of the Arab Maghreb Union.
The Arab Maghreb Union was established on February 17, 1989, in the city of Marrakesh. It includes five countries: Tunisia, Libya, Algeria, Morocco and Mauritania. It aims to enhance regional cooperation and achieve integration between these countries.
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