Algeria Threatens Gas Supply to Spain Over Western Sahara Stance

In reaction to Spain’s "abrupt" change of position on the Sahara, the Algerian government has already recalled its ambassador to Madrid, Saïd Moussi, for consultations. Meanwhile, the Moroccan ambassador to Madrid, Karima Benyaich, returned to her post on Sunday, after 10 months of absence, thus ending the long crisis between Morocco and Spain.

To read: Algeria Threatens Gas Supply to Spain Amid Western Sahara Dispute

This decision by Spain is seen by the Algerian authorities as a "betrayal". In a statement released on Sunday, the Algerian Senate condemned this Spanish decision, describing it as an "unacceptable drift" against the Sahrawi cause. The Spanish decision "affects the balance and diplomatic interests and will durably and qualitatively mark the Algerian-Spanish relations, hitherto characterized by mutual trust and respect," said Abdelaziz Rahabi, former minister and former Algerian ambassador to Spain, in an op-ed published on Sunday in the newspaper TSA.

To read: Spain Backs Morocco’s Sahara Plan, Strives to Maintain Algeria Ties Amid Tensions

However, Algeria does not have any other means of pressure on Spain other than gas, believes El Confidencial, noting that since the closure, at the end of October, of the Maghreb-Europe gas pipeline (GME) crossing Morocco, Spain has become much less dependent on Algerian gas. At the end of November 2021, Algeria provided 43% of gas to Spain, compared to 23.2% in February, thus losing its position as Spain’s leading gas supplier to the United States, which provided 33.3% of liquefied natural gas (LNG) during the period.

To read: Algeria Rejects US Request to Reopen Key Gas Pipeline to Europe

However, Algeria remains a "privileged partner" for Spain, especially in this period of rising hydrocarbon prices due to the Ukrainian crisis. Two weeks ago, Pedro Sanchez called Algerian President Abdelmajid Tebboune to ensure that Algiers would continue to supply Spain with gas. The American and Spanish authorities are negotiating the reopening of the GME with Algeria which does not intend to give in to pressure in order to continue to "punish" Morocco. What observers fear is that Algeria will give priority, in the coming months, to Italy, which it also supplies with gas via two pipelines.