Algeria dampens down Morocco’s Western Sahara win
Following the approval of the ‘Moroccan Plan’ resolution on the Western Sahara’s autonomy, which was voted on 31 October by the UN’s Security Council, the Algerian leadership has leveled strong accusations at Morocco, accusing it of pushing its agenda “by force”, according to government-friendly media AL24 News on November 3rd. In an interview, Algeria’s Foreign Minister, Ahmed Attaf stated: “The Moroccan objectives consist of eliminating the UN mission, either by dissolving it or radically changing its mandate; the second objective is to impose the so-called ‘autonomy plan’ as the sole framework for seeking a solution to the Western Sahara issue, and the third objective is to definitely eliminate the idea of self-determination for the Sahrawi people”.
The Western Sahara has been a cause of simmering tensions between Morocco and Algeria for 50 years, with the latter accused of financing the Polisario militias and providing weapons. While there has been an official ceasefire since 1991, the situation is far from peaceful, with the Polisario Front carrying out frequent attacks against Moroccan positions. The harsh situation of Sahrawi refugees living in camps in Tindouf, Algeria, is also concerning, with high poverty, drug smuggling and crime rates. The camps are administrated by the Polisario, but Morocco has accused the Front of exploiting residents for political gains. Several reports highlighting human rights abuses have been published, tarnishing the Polisario Front’s reputation as defender of the Sahrawi people.
The UN vote represents a diplomatic win for Morocco, as the resolution acknowledges its sovereignty over the disputed land, but it places Algeria in a difficult position as it has been supporting the Polisario Front for decades. There is also talk of the US recognising the Front as a terrorist group, which would severely restrict the group’s activities and potentially freeze its assets. The move would also isolate Algeria further on the international stage.
AL24 News, UN Docs, Maghrebi
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