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Algerian Projects in Africa: Realistic and Profitable vs. Morocco's Fantastical Projects

Over the decades, Algeria has demonstrated its ability to launch and complete major projects in Africa, characterized by their realism and profitability, primarily relying on autonomous funding. In contrast, Morocco proposes ambitious but often unrealistic projects with obscure financing, hiding political motivations rather than genuine development intentions.

1. Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline (TSGP)

Project Description: The Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline is a major project connecting Nigeria to Algeria via Niger, transporting 30 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually from Warri (Nigeria) to Hassi R'Mel (Algeria), where it will be transported to Europe.

Advantages:

  • Realism and Feasibility: The project is technically feasible and has passed feasibility and opportunity study phases .
  • Financing: The project is primarily financed by Algeria and Nigeria, two countries with the financial capacity and necessary resources .
  • Security: Significant progress has been made in securing northern Nigeria against Boko Haram. Additionally, Algeria, with its experience in combating terrorism, will ensure the security of the pipeline traversing Niger .
  • Technical Expertise: Algeria has extensive experience in the gas industry, ensuring efficient management of the pipeline .

2. Trans-Saharan Highway

Project Description: The Trans-Saharan Highway is an initiative aimed at linking Algeria to Nigeria via Niger, spanning 4500 kilometers, to facilitate trade and regional integration while boosting economic exchanges between the involved countries.

Advantages:

  • Realism and Feasibility: The project is nearing completion, with many sections already operational .
  • Financing: It is primarily financed by Algerian resources, with contributions from Nigeria and Niger, as well as international financial support .
  • Economic Impact: The highway will strengthen intra-African trade, open up inland regions, and boost economic development in the Saharan countries .

3. Tindouf-Zouerate Road

Project Description: The Tindouf-Zouerate road is a strategic project aimed at connecting the Algerian city of Tindouf to Zouerate in Mauritania, spanning 800 kilometers, to facilitate trade between the two countries and improve regional connectivity.

Advantages:

  • Financing: The project is 100% financed by Algeria, demonstrating the country's commitment to regional development .
  • Realism and Feasibility: Construction work is already underway, with Algeria mobilizing the necessary resources to ensure the project's success .
  • Economic and Social Impact: The road will facilitate the transport of goods, reduce logistical costs, and strengthen economic ties between Algeria and Mauritania .

4. Seawater Desalination Project in Mauritania

Project Description: Algeria has invested in seawater desalination projects in Mauritania to address water scarcity and improve local living conditions.

Advantages:

  • Realism and Feasibility: Algeria masters desalination technology, with several operational plants in the country .
  • Financing: These projects are financed by Algeria, demonstrating prudent financial management and effective partnerships .
  • Social Impact: Access to potable water improves public health and supports economic development .

Morocco's Fantastical Projects: Nigeria-Morocco Pipeline and Atlantic Initiative

In contrast to Algerian projects, Morocco proposes ambitious but often unrealistic projects due to implementation difficulties and obscure financing. Behind these initiatives are political motivations aimed at undermining Algeria and influencing the Western Sahara issue.

1. Nigeria-Morocco Pipeline

Project Description: This project envisions a 6000-kilometer submarine pipeline connecting Nigeria to Morocco, passing through several West African countries.

Issues:

  • Technical Feasibility: A submarine pipeline of this scale presents major technical challenges never before overcome at this magnitude .
  • Financing: Morocco has yet to secure the $100 million needed for the feasibility study, let alone the $50 billion required for the project's completion .
  • Political Instability: The pipeline crosses 13 countries, some of which are politically unstable, posing significant risks to the pipeline's security .

Political Motivations:

  • Western Sahara Issue: Morocco uses these projects as political tools to gain support on the Western Sahara issue, hoping such initiatives will delay Algerian projects and weaken its position .
  • Hassan II and African Integration: The late King Hassan II referred to the Organization of African Unity (OAU) as the "Organization of Tam-Tam Countries," showing clear disdain for genuine African integration. This attitude reflects in current Moroccan initiatives, which lack sincerity in South-South development .

2. Atlantic Initiative to Unclog Sahel Countries

Project Description: This initiative aims to develop transport infrastructure to unclog Sahel countries, connecting inland regions to the Atlantic coast.

Issues:

  • Financing: Morocco has not clarified how it will finance this ambitious project, requiring billions of dollars to build the necessary roads, bridges, and tunnels .
  • Realism and Feasibility: The project faces considerable geopolitical and financial challenges, making its realization difficult .

Political Motivations:

  • Disruption of Algerian Projects: The aim appears to be to disrupt Algerian projects by creating the illusion of credible alternative projects .
  • Use of Dubious Diplomatic Means: Morocco has organized conferences in Marrakech with African leaders of questionable morality and intellectual level, indicating political rather than developmental motivations .

Algerian-Mauritanian Relationship as a Model of African Cooperation

The Algerian-Mauritanian relationship is a perfect example of the contrast between Algerian and Moroccan approaches in relations with African countries:

  • Military Structuring Aid: Algeria helped Mauritania structure its army and finance the purchase of arms amounting to 300 million CFA francs in 1971 .
  • Support for National Currency: Algeria supported Mauritania in exiting the CFA franc and helped create the national currency, the ouguiya, by guaranteeing it with a 3 billion CFA franc account at the Bank of Algeria .
  • Nationalization of Iron Mines: Algeria assisted Mauritania in nationalizing its iron mines, training Mauritanian technicians and engineers .
  • Tindouf-Zouerate Road Project: Algeria launched a project to construct an 800-kilometer road on Mauritanian territory (Tindouf-Zouerate road) .
  • Iron Industry: Algeria works with Mauritania to enable the Mauritanian partner to benefit from the Algerian iron industry: instead of exporting raw iron ore, Mauritanians will process the ore in Algerian plants and export high value-added products .

Conclusion

Despite Morocco's propaganda efforts, it will be challenging to convince Africans that Morocco can be a reliable alternative to Algeria in terms of Africa's development. Africans are aware of the nature of the Moroccan regime as a vassal of France executing its agenda, while Algeria continues to work tirelessly to realize the dreams of the founding fathers of African unity.




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