A diplomatic crisis between Algeria and Paris: Contrary to what the Moroccan press claims, Algeria escalates its stance in response to France's support for Morocco

Relations between Algeria and France are facing a major diplomatic storm, exacerbated by Paris’ recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara in July 2024. This decision, which aligns with France’s continued support for Morocco, has been perceived by Algiers as a direct threat to its strategic interests and a challenge to its long-standing position on the Sahrawi issue.

In response, Algeria has recalled its ambassador from France, marking a sharp break with Paris. This strong diplomatic move reflects growing frustration over what is seen as France’s increasingly pronounced alignment with Morocco’s stance.

A Firm Algerian Stance Like Never Before

While some observers, particularly on the Moroccan side, have interpreted recent statements by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune as a sign of a softening Algerian position on Western Sahara, the reality is quite the opposite. Far from any shift, these statements underscore a deliberate and resolute strengthening of Algeria’s stance.

By asserting that Algeria has never been deceived by France’s role in supporting Moroccan claims and by emphasizing that the autonomy plan is nothing more than a French-driven initiative, President Tebboune sends an unequivocal message: Algeria has changed its approach in its relationship with France. In the past, the country sought to remind Paris of its responsibilities and encourage a balanced stance with clarity and responsibility. Today, Algeria no longer attempts to reason with France but instead acknowledges its alignment with positions hostile to Algeria’s strategic interests. In response to such maneuvers, Algeria will take all necessary measures to defend its vital interests with determination.

This position reflects an unwavering resolve to put an end to a hypocrisy that no longer fools anyone. Algeria refuses to be misled by power plays where diplomatic rhetoric is used to conceal biased positions. Paris cannot claim to seek balanced relations while systematically serving Moroccan interests at the expense of fundamental principles of international law and the legitimate aspirations of the Sahrawi people.

Faithful to its history and principles, Algeria will neither yield to pressure nor to opportunistic calculations. Its stance on Western Sahara is rooted in international legality, and no bargaining, from any quarter, will weaken this commitment.

French Support for Morocco: A Longstanding Strategy

The strategic rapprochement between France and Morocco on the Sahrawi issue is neither accidental nor recent. As early as May 5, 1978, French aviation, through its formidable Jaguar fighter jets in Mauritania, struck Polisario Front columns in Western Sahara, inflicting heavy losses on Sahrawi fighters struggling for their freedom. In 2007, under President Nicolas Sarkozy, France took its support a step further by enthusiastically endorsing Morocco’s autonomy plan, in blatant contradiction with UN resolutions advocating the Sahrawi people's inalienable right to self-determination.

However, this support is merely a continuation of an older policy rooted in the region’s colonial and postcolonial history. During the Sand War in 1963, France’s influence was already evident in Morocco’s aggression against the newly independent Algeria. General de Gaulle, in a calculated move, armed and encouraged Morocco to attack Algerian territory on October 1, 1963—a war that claimed the lives of more than 800 Algerian martyrs. Since then, Algiers has consistently observed France’s interference in strengthening Rabat’s aggressive posture, to the detriment of regional sovereignty and stability.

Even today, by unreservedly backing Moroccan claims over Western Sahara, France is not only challenging Algeria’s position but also openly defying international law, which still considers the territory as non-autonomous and awaiting a self-determination process. Worse still, through this biased stance, Paris grants a dangerous blank check to Morocco’s expansionist ambitions, directly threatening Algeria’s national security. This blatant collusion between Rabat and Paris is not merely a diplomatic alliance but a calculated geopolitical maneuver aimed at weakening Algeria and reshaping the regional balance according to neocolonial interests. Yet, Algeria, true to its history, will never bow to those seeking to trample on people’s rights and perpetuate unjust domination.

A Strategic Turning Point for Algeria

Faced with what appears to be a direct threat to its national security, Algeria cannot remain passive. The recall of its ambassador is only the first step in a broader response, commensurate with the stakes at hand. The era of complacency is over: Algeria, standing firm on its principles of sovereignty and dignity, will no longer tolerate France’s hypocrisy and arrogance. President Tebboune’s recent statements leave no room for doubt—Algeria is determined to take action and defend its prerogatives against the maneuvers of a former colonial power that persists in its duplicity.

Algeria has several pressure levers at its disposal and is prepared to use them without hesitation:

🔸 Economically, Algiers could redefine its trade and energy relations with France, prioritizing more reliable partners such as China and Russia, both of which have already established a strong presence in the country. Far from dependence on exploitative agreements, Algeria is determined to assert its strategic autonomy.

🔸 Diplomatically and strategically, the deepening ties between Algiers and Bamako, at a time when Mali is increasingly freeing itself from French influence, send a powerful signal. As a key regional power, Algeria could play a central role in reshaping the geopolitics of the Sahel, challenging France’s waning influence and fostering cooperation among African states free from foreign tutelage.

🔸 Militarily and in terms of security, the Algiers-Moscow axis could see significant reinforcement, further limiting Paris’ ability to exert influence in the region. Algeria, long committed to maintaining a strong and independent military, will not hesitate to strengthen ties with its strategic partners to protect its territory and counter any interference.

This paradigm shift marks the end of a status quo that Algeria deems unfair and unacceptable. Refusing to bow to the dictates of a France that struggles to abandon its neocolonial reflexes, Algeria forcefully asserts its independence and sovereignty. History has shown that the Algerian people do not yield to adversity—those who believe they can still intimidate them will be proven wrong. Algeria moves forward, determined, free, and unshakable.

The End of Illusions

While France strives to maintain a façade of diplomatic engagement, claiming to seek "calm" relations with Algiers, it struggles to conceal the glaring inconsistency of its stance. How can it pretend to build a balanced relationship while actively supporting Algeria’s strategic rival on such a crucial issue as Western Sahara? This duplicity, marked by arrogance and disdain, no longer deceives anyone in Algiers.

Algeria sees in this attitude the continuation of neocolonial policies—a blatant disregard for its sovereignty and fundamental interests. But times have changed: gone are the days when Algeria bowed to the demands of its former colonial power. Algeria no longer expects France to shift its stance on Western Sahara or any other strategic issue. The era of diplomatic naivety is over.

From now on, Algiers will act with the same pragmatism as Paris, deploying countermeasures and strategic initiatives to ensure that France pays dearly for its hostile maneuvers, whose roots stretch back to the Sand War. The time for empty talks and pretenses is over—it is time for action.

Paris must now choose: persist in its duplicity and face the consequences, or reconsider its position before it is too late.

---

By Belgacem Merbah