The recent stance of Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, the Kuwaiti Foreign Minister, regarding a review of the joint Arab action system, has brought back to the forefront the idea of reforming the League of Arab States, which was founded in 1945.
This comes in response to the rapidly evolving challenges facing the Arab world, challenges that the League has demonstrably failed to address,
amidst escalating regional tensions and a complex political and security landscape.
Looking at regional dynamics, the League often appears unable to meet expectations.
This stance raises fundamental questions about the institution’s ability to adapt to the changing times,
at a time when the gap between theoretical frameworks and practical realities is widening. It is clear that the League is at a crossroads.
A pause for review
During the 165th regular session of the Council of the League of Arab States at the ministerial level, Sheikh Jarrah Al-Jaber emphasized
that successive experiences have revealed the limited effectiveness of the joint Arab action system within the framework of the League of Arab States.
This indicates the need for a frank and responsible review, as the League of Arab States, despite its symbolic status,
has proven clearly incapable of keeping pace with rapidly evolving challenges. The League, therefore, must chart a new course.
Furthermore, it has failed to play an effective role in safeguarding Arab security.
An old charter restricts effectiveness
One of the most significant structural problems with the Arab League Charter is that it was drafted in
a historical context different from the current situation of the Arab world.
The League, created many decades ago, must now contend with new realities.
The decision-making mechanisms, particularly the requirement of consensus, continue to hinder genuine effectiveness.
Analyses published by the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies indicate that this constraint has transformed the League into a framework for managing disputes rather than a platform for making binding decisions.
The Kuwaiti Foreign Minister’s stance was not unprecedented for Kuwait.
Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah had previously called for
a comprehensive review of Arab working mechanisms during the 2014 Kuwait Summit,
emphasizing the need to develop institutional performance to meet current challenges linked to the changing role of the League.
Delayed reforms
Despite numerous reform initiatives over the past decades, most have failed to translate into concrete action within the League.
The Arab League witnessed significant milestones such as the “Covenant and Accord Document” in 2004
and the 2012 report of the Reform Committee, chaired by Lakhdar Brahimi.
However, these efforts remained largely unimplemented. Studies by the Al-Ahram Center for Political
and Strategic Studies confirm that the League lacks effective implementation mechanisms,
given the limited powers of its Secretary-General compared to other regional institutions.
This is a major reason hindering League reform and progress.
Security challenges
One of the most serious shortcomings facing the Arab League is its inability to address
the current threats surrounding all Arab states, both from within and without, affecting the League’s stability.
Chief among these threats is the rise of non-state actors, such as militias and armed groups.
The Institute for Regional Security Studies estimates that the Joint Arab Defense Agreement is
no longer capable of keeping pace with the developments of modern warfare or confronting parallel entities.
This again underscores the limitations of the League.
This includes the use of drones and long-range missiles.
Furthermore, the absence of a unified definition of Arab national security has contributed to deepening divisions
and opened the door to foreign intervention.
Reformist visions
With the increasing risks, calls are growing for a clear roadmap to reform the system of joint Arab action led by the League.
This includes amending voting mechanisms to adopt the principle of qualified majority,
thus ensuring the binding nature of decisions within the League structure.
Proposals also include activating the Arab Peace and Security Council and granting it broader powers to monitor crises and intervene early, which would enhance League involvement.
In addition, there is the establishment of an Arab Court of Justice to resolve disputes impartially.
Furthermore, it is crucial to strengthen the popular dimension by developing the role of the Arab Parliament,
hoping to make the League system more responsive.
The Parliament must be transformed from a merely advisory body into
an oversight institution that monitors the implementation of decisions,
thereby enhancing transparency and accountability within the Arab system.
Greater oversight would help the League advance its mission.
Restoration or Reconstruction
One of the most pressing questions today is whether the current situation requires reforming the Arab League
or rebuilding it from scratch. The role of the League in this decision is vital.
This leaves the League with only two options: either settling for partial reforms that fail to address the root causes of the crisis,
or moving towards a comprehensive restructuring that redefines its role and functions within the League framework.
