Western Sahara: Algeria accused of downplaying role in dispute

Algeria has been accused of downplaying its role in the Western Sahara territorial dispute, as reported by the Moroccan government-friendly Yabiliadi and agencies on February 14th.

During talks held at the US Embassy in Madrid between February 8th and 9th, Algeria allegedly sought to obscure its involvement in the dispute by suggesting that the Polisario Front, a separatist militia, was responsible for directly engaging with Morocco.

Reportedly, the Arabic version of Resolution 2797, or the Moroccan Autonomy Plan, contradicts the Algerian government’s narrative that “two parties”, the Polisario Front and Morocco, were involved in negotiations, while Algeria and Mauritania had an “observer role.”

The Arabic version names four parties: “Morocco, the Polisario Front, Algeria, and Mauritania.” It does not mention any country being in an “observer role.”

Resolution 2797 would grant the Western Sahara limited self-governance under Moroccan sovereignty. The plan is widely perceived as the most realistic solution to a conflict that has persisted since Spanish colonial rule ended in 1975.

However, the Algerian-backed and Iranian-funded Polisario Front has rejected the proposal and insisted that a referendum on self-determination be held instead.

The group claims to engage in armed struggle against the perceived “Moroccan occupier” on behalf of the Sahrawi people, whose ancestral homeland is the Western Sahara.

Algeria’s seemingly unwavering support for the Polisario Front has led to the country becoming increasingly isolated on the world stage, with some nations cutting ties over its support for the militia.

Since 1963, the UN has recognised the Western Sahara as a Non-Governing Territory, while the Polisario Front has recognised the so-called Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) since 1976 and provided ongoing military and financial aid.

Furthermore, Algeria’s relations with its southern neighbours have also become strained in recent months, with Mali and Niger accusing Algeria of shooting down a Malian drone in April 2025.

Mali and Niger, along with Burkina Faso, are part of a Sahel alliance that aims to counter the growing threat of jihadist violence in the region by sharing military and intelligence resources.

Reportedly, Algeria shot down the drone over Tin Zaouatine, a border town that is a stronghold for the Tuareg separatist group in Mali, which Mali has accused Algeria of funding.

This is despite the countries sharing historical ties as former French colonies, with Mali and Niger gaining independence in 1960, followed by Algeria in 1962.

Yabiladi and agencies, Maghrebi.org