Table of contents
Arab Maghreb Union (founded 1989)
Arab Maghreb Union (founded 1989)
Copyright Charters of Intergovernmental Organizations Project 2025 — Translated from French
TREATY ESTABLISHING THE ARAB MAGHREB UNION
- His Majesty King Hassan II, King of the Kingdom of Morocco;
- His Excellency President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, President of the Republic of Tunisia;
- His Excellency President Chadli Bendjedid, President of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria;
- The Leader of the First of September Revolution, Colonel Muammar El Gaddafi, President of the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya;
- His Excellency Colonel Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya, President of the Military Committee for National Salvation, President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania;
- Believing in the strong bonds that unite the peoples of the Arab Maghreb, grounded in a shared history, religion, and language;
- Responding to the deep and resolute aspirations of these peoples and their leaders to establish a Union that will further strengthen their existing relations and provide a framework conducive to greater integration;
- Cognizant of the impact such integration will engender, enabling the Arab Maghreb Union to acquire specific weight on the international stage, to contribute effectively to global equilibrium, to promote peaceful relations within the international community, and to consolidate international peace and security;
- Considering that the building of the Arab Maghreb Union requires concrete achievements and the establishment of common rules that embody effective solidarity among its constituent parts, and that guarantee their economic and social development;
- As a means to realize complete Arab unity and as a starting point toward a broader union encompassing other Arab and African States;
Have agreed as follows:
Article 1
By virtue of the present Treaty, a Union is hereby established under the designation: Arab Maghreb Union.
Article 2
The objectives of the Union shall be:
- To strengthen the bonds of fraternity uniting the Member States and their peoples;
- To achieve progress and prosperity for the societies comprising the Union and to safeguard their rights;
- To contribute to the preservation of peace founded on justice and equity;
- To pursue a common policy in various fields;
- To progressively strive towards the free movement of persons, services, goods, and capital.
Article 3
The common policy referenced in the preceding article shall aim to implement the following objectives:
- In the international sphere: to realize harmony among the Member States and to establish close diplomatic cooperation founded on dialogue;
- In the field of defense: to safeguard the independence of each of the Member States;
- In the economic field: to achieve industrial, agricultural, commercial, and social development of the Member States, and to mobilize the necessary means for this purpose, notably by establishing joint projects and developing comprehensive and sectoral programs;
- In the cultural domain: to establish cooperation aimed at developing education at all levels, preserving spiritual and moral values inspired by the noble teachings of Islam, and safeguarding the Arab national identity by securing the means necessary to attain these objectives, particularly through the exchange of teachers and students, and the creation of Maghrebian university and cultural institutions as well as research institutes.
Article 4
- The Union shall be endowed with a Presidential Council composed of the Heads of State of the Member Countries, which shall constitute the supreme organ of the Union.
- The Presidency of the Council shall rotate annually among the Heads of State of the Member Countries.
Article 5
- The Presidential Council of the Union shall hold regular sessions once a year. However, the Council may convene in extraordinary session whenever necessary.
Article 6
- The Presidential Council shall be the sole body authorized to adopt decisions. Such decisions shall be taken unanimously by its members.
Article 7
- The Prime Ministers of the Member States, or their acting equivalents, may convene whenever necessary.
Article 8
- The Union shall include a Council of Foreign Ministers responsible for preparing the sessions of the Presidential Council and for reviewing matters submitted to it by the Follow-Up Committee and the Specialized Ministerial Commissions.
Article 9
- Each Member State shall designate, from among the members of its Government or its General People's Committee, one representative responsible for Union affairs. These representatives shall constitute a Committee tasked with monitoring Union matters and shall submit the results of their work to the Council of Foreign Ministers.
Article 10
- The Union shall be endowed with Specialized Ministerial Commissions, established by the Presidential Council, which shall define their respective competencies.
Article 11
- The Union shall have a permanent General Secretariat, established by the Presidential Council, which shall determine its headquarters, responsibilities, and appoint the Secretary-General.
Article 12
- The Union shall have an Advisory Council composed of thirty representatives per Member State, selected either by the legislative bodies of the Member States or in accordance with the internal procedures of each State;
- The Advisory Council shall hold one ordinary session per year and may convene in extraordinary session upon request by the Presidential Council;
- The Advisory Council shall render its opinion on any draft decision submitted to it by the Presidential Council and may, on its own initiative, present to the Council any recommendations aimed at enhancing the Union’s activities and achieving its objectives;
- The Advisory Council shall establish its internal regulations and submit them to the Presidential Council for approval.
Article 13
- The Union shall be vested with a Judicial Authority composed of two judges from each Member State, appointed for a term of six years, with half of the membership to be renewed every three years. The Judicial Authority shall elect its President from among its members for a term of one year;
- Said Authority shall be competent to adjudicate disputes concerning the interpretation and application of the Treaty and of agreements concluded within the framework of the Union, upon referral either by the Presidential Council or by a State that is party to the dispute, in accordance with the provisions of the Statute of the Authority. Its judgments shall be final and binding;
- The Judicial Authority shall render advisory opinions on legal questions submitted to it by the Presidential Council;
- The Authority shall draft its Statute and submit it to the Presidential Council for approval. Said Statute shall form an integral part of the present Treaty;
- The seat of the Judicial Authority and its budget shall be determined by the Presidential Council.
Article 14
- Any act of aggression committed against one Member State shall be deemed an act of aggression against all other Member States.
Article 15
- The Member States undertake not to permit, within their respective territories, any activity or organization that may threaten the security, territorial integrity, or political regime of any other Member State;
- They further undertake to refrain from joining any military or political alliance or pact directed against the political independence or territorial unity of other Member States.
Article 16
- Member States are free to conclude bilateral agreements among themselves or with other States or groupings, provided that such agreements do not contravene the provisions of the present Treaty.
Article 17
- Other States belonging to the Arab Nation or the African Community may accede to this Treaty, subject to the approval of the Member States.
Article 18
- The provisions of this Treaty may be amended upon the proposal of any Member State. Any amendment shall enter into force following its ratification by all Member States.
Article 19
- This Treaty shall enter into force upon ratification by the Member States in accordance with the procedures in force in each State;
- The Member States undertake to take the necessary measures to that effect within a maximum period of six months from the date of signature of the present Treaty.
Done at Marrakech, on the blessed day of Friday the 10th of Rajab, 1409 of the Hijra (1398th year after the passing of the Prophet), corresponding to the 17th of February (Nouwar) 1989.
For the Kingdom of Morocco
Hassan II
For the Republic of Tunisia
Zine El Abidine Ben Ali
For the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria
President Chadli Bendjedid
For the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
Muammar Gaddafi
For the Islamic Republic of Mauritania
Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya