May 11, 2024 – 2:00 PM – The World
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Tebboune’s speech comes shortly after his meeting with Polisario Front leader Ibrahim Ghali at Al-Mouradia Palace and a closed session of the UN Security Council on the peacekeeping mission in the Sahara. During these meetings, which also included senior military leaders such as the Commander of the Algerian Army, Saeed Chengriha, and the Commander of the Sahrawi Liberation Army, the focus was on strengthening relations and coordinating efforts. Algeria confirmed its support for the claims of the Polisario Front in the Sahara conflict.
Read also: Abdelmadjid Tebboune: “The position on the Sahara does not target Morocco”
The Sahara issue constitutes a source of ongoing tension between Rabat and Algeria, which unilaterally decided to sever diplomatic relations in 2021. The United States’ recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the southern provinces in exchange for the normalization of Moroccan-Israeli relations, and the changing positions of Spain and Germany, led to increased tensions. Algeria is now trying to persuade countries that have expressed their support for Morocco’s plan for autonomy in the Sahara and opened consulates in southern cities such as Dakhla and Laayoune to move away from Morocco.
