China has, for example, announced $60 billion grant for some of the African countries at a China-Africa conclave in Beijing earlier this month. It is a market of the future and the African countries can be critical diplomatic allies in India's search for an equitable world order for the emerging nations. EU has accorded priority status to the African countries and allowed them duty-free entry in the EU markets as LDCs. But they feel it is distinct – Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya (specifically excluding Egypt) are what is called the Maghreb. Send a message to Maghreb we are keen for their friendship.

Source: The North Africa Journal September 28, 2018 16:07 UTC