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Union of the Arab Maghreb - UAM |
On 17 February 1989 the treaty creating the Union of the Arab Maghreb (UAM) was signed in Marrakesh, Morocco,
by the leaders of Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia.
Modelled on the EC (now EU), the UAM was formed
principally to enable its members to negotiate with that body when it declares a single European market at the end of
1992. It was also intended to encourage trade and economic co-operation by allowing freedom of movement across frontiers.
The union proclamation stated that the creation of the bloc was a step towards the eventual unity of all
Arab states, in a gesture to Col Qaddafi, who had proposed extending the confederation to include Chad, Mali, Niger and Sudan.
The treaty created a policy-making council of Heads of state, to meet every six months under an annually
rotating chairman, and other administrative bodies, including a court, comprising 10 members, to consider disputes
between member states.
In June 1989 the five nations ( Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia ) formed
a joint Parliament, and a defence clause prohibited aggression between the states. |
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