Summary:

On 1 January 2025, Algeria began its one-month role as President of the UN Security Council (UNSC) for the month of January emphasizing its priority to continue vocally representing Arab and African issues, as well as the Palestinian cause. Algeria also begins its second year of a two-year term as a non-permanent member of the UNSC. 

Algerian Foreign Affairs Minister, Ahmed Attaf announced on 30 December 2024, the focus of the Algerian mandate in the UNSC, including advocating especially for the Palestinian cause and the Western Sahara cause.  

Algeria assumes the presidency of the UNSC at a critical time as its relations with France and Mali are considered to be deteriorating.  

On 2 January, Mali’s ruling military junta accused Algeria of “interference” and supporting “terrorist groups” in the Sahel. Malian Foreign Affairs Minister called out Algerian support to Tuareg factions active in the north of Mali which are broadly considered rebels by Malian leadership.  

France’s Minister of Foreign Affairs stated that he has doubts on Algerian intention to respect the roadmap the two countries fixed in 2022 concerning bilateral relations. Particularly after recent allegations by Algeria that France is engaged in intelligence operations intended to destabilize the country. 

Also, recent reports indicate that the Mauritanian President reshuffled several Army generals suspected to be aligned with the Algerian agenda after meeting with Algeria’s chief of staff.  

Outlook: 

Algeria is likely to use its mandate at the UNSC to promote its initiatives concerning issues like the Palestinian cause to preserve a leading position on this issue in the Arab world.  

However, Algeria is increasingly isolated from its North African and Sahelian neighbors after recent decisions from Malian and Mauritanian authorities. Algerian diplomacy is likely to continue seeking support from Tunisia and the Tripoli-based government in Libya within the planned Tripartite Consultative Meetings to avoid being regionally isolated.  

Algerian tensions with the Malian junta may also lead to problems between Algeria and Russia, a supporting partner of the military government in Mali.  

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