Summary:

On 4 May 2025, the Atlantic Defense Observatory revealed that Egypt has declined Algeria’s invitation to attend a military exercise due to the participation of the Algeria-backed Polisario Front. 

Egypt is among the several countries to which Algeria extended an invitation for the military drill dubbed Peace Africa 3, which will take place in Algeria from 21 to 27 May. 

The event falls under the North African Regional Capability (NARC) which is a regional military alliance including Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt. The NARC aims to strengthen security coordination against common challenges.  

According to the news website, Yabiladi, Egypt’s refusal to attend the exercise comes amid renewed tensions between Algeria and the United Arab Emirates, marked by a recent escalation in Algerian media rhetoric. 

Egypt is not the only country considering withdrawal from the military exercise in Algeria. Mauritania is reportedly weighing a similar decision, citing the presence of the Polisario Front as the main reason. 

However, Egypt had previously participated in the NARC meetings held in in May 2023, despite the presence of the Polisario Front. 

Outlook: 

Egypt’s decision to reject Algeria’s invitation to the NARC military exercise over the presence of the Polisario Front signals Algeria’s growing regional isolation.  

The move could reflect growing discomfort among key African countries such as Egypt, with Algiers’s attempts to legitimize the Polisario Front within multilateral frameworks. 

Although Egypt previously attended a NARC meeting alongside Polisario Front representatives, its boycott could signal a shift in approach and greater alignment with Morocco and what is perceived as a western-driven agenda to support Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara. 

While Algeria’s initiatives seek to reinforce ties with traditional partners like Egypt and Mauritania, its continued support for the Polisario Front risks undermining those efforts and narrowing its diplomatic options. 

Explore our services or speak with our team of North Africa-based risk experts.