Conflicting International Policies and the Western Sahara Stalemate
A major obstacle to North African integration and an important factor in strained Algerian-Moroccan relations, the conflict in Western Sahara attracts little attention. This ‘‘frozen conflict’’ or ‘‘forgotten conflict’’ represents an insignificant priority for major powers, notably France and the United States.
Algerian‐Moroccan relations and their impact on Maghribi integration
Overall, Algerian-Moroccan relations have always been at odds, the existence since 1989 of the Arab Maghrib Union (UMA) notwithstanding. In fact, the UMA has not been operational due precisely to tension between the two countries. Strained relations derive from a historical and post-colonial evolution - dominated by power politics - of which Western Sahara is only one, albeit major, aspect.