Algeria has been making some major diplomatic moves recently, especially in response to developments in the situation in the Moroccan Sahara. This comes during a meeting between the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Staffan de Mistura, with the Algerian Foreign Minister and Joshua Harris, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State of the United States, at the headquarters of the Algerian Mission to the United Nations.
It seems that Algeria’s recent actions aim to confront Moroccan interests regarding the artificial dispute over the Moroccan Sahara. By hosting the leader of the separatist Polisario Front on Tuesday, Algeria is sending a message to Rabat and the international community that it continues to support Polisario mercenaries and is a party to the conflict.
Observers believe that Algeria’s actions will not have a significant impact on the American-backed decision regarding the Moroccan Sahara. The United States is a strategic ally of Morocco and supports Rabat’s proposal for autonomy as the only solution to the conflict.
Algeria is trying to take advantage of its membership in the United Nations Security Council to achieve a diplomatic victory over Morocco. Some see this as a response to fears of a possible shift in support for Moroccan sovereignty over the Moroccan Sahara, especially from Paris.
Algeria’s recent actions, including hosting the Polisario leader, can be seen as a direct response to Morocco’s efforts to resume negotiations and find a settlement to the long-standing conflict in the Moroccan Sahara.
Algerian political analyst and opposition figure Walid Kebir believes that Algeria’s reception of the Polisario leader is a message to Morocco and the main players in the UN Security Council. He pointed out that Algeria continues to support the Polisario Front, regardless of its current status as a member of the United Nations.
There are expectations of a possible official French recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the Moroccan Sahara. France, as a permanent member of the Security Council, could complicate Algeria’s position in future resolutions.
The American mediation, led by Joshua Harris, is still ongoing, but it is unlikely to be affected by Algeria’s actions. The United States will ultimately formulate the next resolution.