Egypt’s President Rebuffs Algeria on Western Sahara Dispute

Tebboune failed in his attempt to obtain Egypt’s support in his fight against Morocco on the Sahara issue. During a press conference hosted by the Egyptian president and his guest, Abdel Fattah Al-Sissi reaffirmed "his commitment to respect for national sovereignties and borders, basic principles of international law that are essential for regional stability." This statement sounds like a rebuke for the Algerian president who is seeking Cairo’s support against Morocco, observers say. In Rabat, al-Sissi’s message, in favor of sovereignty and stability, resonates like a call to the preachers of separatism, we whisper.

Tensions between Rabat and Algiers have escalated since 2020. Abdelmadjid Tebboune had just been elected president of Algeria and General Saïd Chengriha was taking over the reins of the Algerian army. Since then, the Algerian regime has multiplied hostile acts against Morocco. Algeria unilaterally cut ties in 2021. That same year, it closed its airspace to Moroccan civilian and military aircraft and those with a Moroccan registration number. Algiers closed the Maghreb-Europe gas pipeline crossing Morocco. It also banned ships transiting through Morocco from docking in Algerian ports, and imposed visas on Moroccans. The Algerian regime never misses an opportunity to criticize and make serious accusations against Morocco.

Over the years, the Sahara issue has become an obsession for Algeria, which is struggling to obtain support to counter Morocco. A difficult task for Tebboune, who is provoking the isolation of his country. Meanwhile, Morocco is moving forward. Several countries such as the United States, Germany, Spain and most recently France recognize the Moroccanness of the Sahara and align themselves behind the Moroccan autonomy plan for the Sahara, considered since 2007 as the serious and credible solution in all the resolutions of the Security Council.