US lawmaker urges sanctions on Algeria over Russian arms after Moscow’s Sahara veto

On Friday, October 30, the US draft resolution on the Sahara received eleven votes in favor at the Security Council. Russia voted against it and, using its veto, prevented its adoption. The text was intended to extend and transform the UN mission in the Sahara, while giving Morocco’s autonomy plan a central place in the negotiations.

The very next day, Joe Wilson, a Republican representative from South Carolina, reacted sharply. In a message posted on his X account, he accused Moscow of seeking to further destabilize Africa and named Algeria among the beneficiaries of the diplomatic impasse.

The lawmaker went further. He called on Washington to impose sanctions on Algiers under the US CAATSA law, targeting Algeria’s purchases of Russian weapons. He also accused the Algerian authorities of building an arsenal that, in his view, could fuel tensions in North Africa and Europe.

A US law targeting buyers of Russian weapons

Adopted in 2017, the CAATSA law allows the United States to sanction individuals or entities involved in certain significant transactions with Russia’s defense or intelligence sectors. Its application is based on an assessment of the transactions concerned by US authorities.

Joe Wilson is also calling for the Polisario Front to be added to the US list of foreign terrorist organizations. He accuses the movement, backed by Algiers, of maintaining ties with Iran and benefiting from training provided by Hezbollah.

This second request is part of an effort launched several months ago. On June 24, 2025, Joe Wilson and Democrat Jimmy Panetta introduced a bill, H.R. 4119, calling, among other things, for the US administration to examine the possibility of designating the Polisario as a terrorist organization and imposing sanctions on it.

https://x.com/RepJoeWilson/status/2116544026643923362