Algeria Rejects Morocco‘s Western Sahara Autonomy Plan
Tensions in North Africa remain high as Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune delivered a scathing rebuke of Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara. In a nationally televised address on December 29th, Tebboune dismissed the plan, calling it ”a French idea, not a Moroccan one.”
The Algerian leader’s strong words, delivered before both houses of Parliament, directly challenged Morocco’s long-standing proposal, first presented in 2007. He characterized the plan as “falsified,” claiming it “was born in France, during the time of President Jacques Chirac.” Tebboune further asserted that the plan offers the Sahrawi people a choice between “the bad and the worst,” adding, “this land does not belong to you and its political process is not completed.”
This statement underscores the deep-seated disagreement between Algeria and Morocco over the future of Western Sahara, a disputed territory bordering both nations. The conflict has been a major point of contention for decades, fueling regional instability and impacting international relations.
Tebboune reiterated Algeria’s unwavering support for the Polisario Front’s demand for a self-determination referendum.He emphasized, “We are wiht the law,” highlighting Algeria’s consistent stance since the 1972 Nouadhibou conference, and subsequent meetings in Tlemcen and Ifrane. He declared, “We have not changed, neither today nor in the future,” and stressed that the Western Sahara issue is not a matter for a “charitable association” but rather falls under the purview of the UN Colonization Commission.
The Algerian president’s forceful rejection of Morocco’s autonomy plan signals a significant escalation in the ongoing dispute. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, with concerns about the potential for further regional instability and the need for a peaceful resolution.
The implications of this ongoing conflict extend beyond the immediate region. The United States, along with other global powers, has a vested interest in promoting stability in North africa and preventing further escalation of the conflict. The potential for humanitarian crises and the impact on regional trade and security are key concerns for the international community.
Algeria Rejects Morocco’s Western Sahara Autonomy Plan: An Interview
Interviewer: Mr. president,your recent speech regarding Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara has garnered meaningful attention.Could you elaborate on Algeria’s stance towards this proposal?
President Tebboune: Algeria’s position on the Western Sahara issue is clear and unwavering. we fundamentally reject Morocco’s autonomy plan. This proposal, as stated in [1], is nothing more than a “French idea” designed to deny the Sahrawi people their right to self-determination. it’s a false solution, offering only a choice between impositions, not genuine autonomy.
We have consistently supported the Polisario Front’s call for a referendum, a position we’ve maintained since the 1972 Nouadhibou conference. The Sahrawi people deserve the right to decide their own future, and this issue falls under the purview of the UN, not a bilateral agreement.
Interviewer: This rejection marks a significant escalation in the ongoing dispute between algeria and Morocco. What message are you sending to the international community with this strong stance?
President Tebboune: We are appealing to the international community to uphold international law and the principles of self-determination.
As [2] emphasizes, the Western Sahara dispute has been a major flashpoint in North Africa.This conflict has destabilizing consequences, impacting regional security and international relations. We urge the international community to work towards a just and peaceful resolution that respects the Sahrawi people’s essential right to self-determination.
