Algeria: US Affirms Moroccan Sovereignty Over Western Sahara
Summary:
On 18 July 2024, United States Ambassador to Algeria, Elizabeth Moore, affirmed American support for Moroccan sovereignty over the Western Sahara region, marking a blow to Algeria’s efforts to support Western Saharan independence.
During an Interview with Algerian media, La Patrie, she described Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara as an “irreversible and historic fact” that will always be recognized by US administrations.
Ambassador Moore also recalled US support for a United Nations led solution in Western Sahara and rejected any links between Israel and tensions between Morocco and Algeria.
On 4 July 2024, Ambassador Moore organized a conference to celebrate Algerian Independence and seized the opportunity to highlight good relations between the two States and their economic and security cooperation in bilateral, regional, and international frameworks.
In a phone exchange in the same occasion, US President Joe Biden also outlined “Algeria’s regional leadership” and its crucial role to contain transnational criminality and extremism as well as to resolve conflicts in the region.
Outlook:
Ambassador Moore’s last statement before her appointment as Ambassador in Cameroon was likely intended to serve as a re-assuring message to longstanding US ally Morocco after a recent rapprochement between the US and Algeria.
With Russian and Chinese partners taking a more neutral stance between Algeria and Morocco over the Western Saharan issue, and with the US reaffirming its support of Morocco in this matter, Algeria will continue supporting the separatist Polisario Front in western Sahara.
The Polisario’s exclusion from the meetings of the African Union’s International Partners meetings on 21 July is yet another blow to Algerian efforts.
Explore our services or speak with our team of North Africa-based risk experts.