Algeria has long been a steadfast supporter of the Sahrawi people’s struggle for self-determination, providing diplomatic and humanitarian aid to the Polisario Front. However, in a recent interview with the French newspaper L’Opinion, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune stated that, despite repeated requests from the Polisario, his government has so far refused to provide them with weapons. This declaration raises several questions: Why does Algeria currently refuse to arm the Sahrawi fighters despite Morocco’s ongoing illegal occupation of their land? And what would happen if Algeria decided to change its stance and supply the Polisario with advanced weaponry?
Algeria Under International Pressure
Algeria has consistently defended the decolonization of Western Sahara, advocating for the Sahrawi people’s right to independence in line with UN resolutions. Despite Morocco’s relentless propaganda attempting to portray Algeria as a direct party in the conflict, the truth remains unchanged: Algeria supports the Sahrawi cause on principle and in accordance with international law.
Tebboune’s statement about not arming the Polisario “for now” reflects a calculated strategic approach. Algeria faces mounting pressure from Western powers aligned with Morocco, particularly France and the United States. Rabat is actively seeking to provoke Algeria into an open conflict, hoping to justify foreign intervention in the Maghreb.
By maintaining a position of restraint, Algeria is demonstrating responsibility and preventing Morocco from dragging the region into further instability. However, this refusal to arm the Polisario does not equate to disengagement. Instead, it signals a temporary diplomatic approach that could shift if Morocco continues its illegal occupation and military aggression.
What If Algeria Decided to Arm the Polisario with Advanced Weaponry?
If Algeria were to change its policy and provide the Polisario with sophisticated military equipment, the regional balance of power would be dramatically altered, forcing Morocco to confront new military and political realities.
1. Breaking Morocco’s Military Superiority
For decades, Morocco has relied on foreign military support, particularly from France and the Israeli occupation, to maintain its illegal control over Western Sahara. If Algeria were to supply the Polisario with modern weapons—such as drones, anti-tank missiles, and portable air defense systems—it would neutralize Morocco’s military advantage. This would enable the Sahrawi resistance to inflict significant losses on the occupying forces and force Rabat to reconsider its aggressive policies.
2. Strengthening the Sahrawi Resistance Against Moroccan Aggression
Morocco has repeatedly violated ceasefire agreements and continues its forced colonization of Western Sahara. If the Polisario were to receive more advanced weaponry, it could launch more effective and strategic resistance operations against the Moroccan occupation army. This would not only enhance the Sahrawi fighters' ability to defend their land but would also make it clear to Morocco that a military solution to this conflict is unattainable.
3. Increased Diplomatic Pressure on Morocco and Its Foreign Backers
Morocco has relied on international alliances to maintain its illegal occupation, but escalating Sahrawi resistance—backed by stronger military capabilities—could force global actors to reconsider their positions. The European Union, for example, could face heightened concerns over regional instability, leading to greater scrutiny of its support for Rabat. A shift in military dynamics would likely weaken Morocco’s diplomatic standing and increase pressure for a genuine UN-led solution.
4. Reviving the Sahrawi Cause on the Global Stage
Morocco has attempted to suppress international awareness of the Western Sahara issue through economic blackmail and diplomatic maneuvers. However, if the Polisario gains the military capacity to wage a more effective liberation struggle, the conflict would regain global attention, forcing the international community to acknowledge the legitimacy of the Sahrawi people's fight for self-determination. Countries that have hesitated to recognize the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) might be compelled to reconsider their positions, further isolating Morocco diplomatically.
Algeria and Its Historic Responsibility
Until now, Algeria has chosen diplomatic restraint, prioritizing peaceful resolutions under the UN framework. However, if Morocco continues its illegal occupation with impunity and escalates its aggression against the Sahrawi people, Algeria may have no choice but to reconsider its approach.
Algeria has historically supported liberation movements worldwide, from Vietnam to South Africa. It will not stand idly by if Morocco continues violating the Sahrawi people's fundamental rights. History has shown that occupied nations cannot be subdued indefinitely.
If Algeria decides to arm the Polisario with advanced weaponry, it would not be merely a defensive measure but a powerful statement: the era of colonial occupation is over, and the Sahrawi people will achieve their rightful independence—just as Algeria did in its own fight against French colonial rule.
It is only a matter of time before Algeria makes the decision that will forever change the fate of Western Sahara.
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