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Algeria’s Ambiguity and Europe’s Boldness: How Algeria Facilitates Its Own Diplomatic Affronts

This Thursday afternoon, Belgian Minister of Development Cooperation, Mr. Prévot, publicly endorsed the “Moroccan autonomy plan” for Western Sahara—a project deemed illegal under international law and contrary to Algeria’s historic position.

A few hours later, the same official nevertheless called his Algerian counterpart, Ahmed Attaf, to discuss “calmly” cooperation in areas such as renewable energy, transport, mining, agri-food, and pharmaceuticals.

Two seemingly incoherent sequences, yet deeply revealing: it is not Mr. Prévot who is ambiguous—it is Algeria that lacks a clear line.

When Strategic Confusion Becomes a Constant

This absurd scene—a European minister backing Morocco before extending a hand to Algeria—does not happen by chance. It reflects a perception firmly rooted in Brussels and other European capitals: Algeria does not truly know what it wants.

Our diplomacy claims to be proud and sovereign, yet remains vague about its priorities.

One day, it asserts neutrality on Western Sahara to avoid being seen as a party to the conflict; the next, it denounces Morocco’s occupation without mobilizing diplomatic, economic, or media leverage to exert real influence.

This strategic ambiguity is interpreted externally as an opening for manipulation: Europeans know they can appease Morocco while safeguarding their economic interests with Algiers—without ever paying a political price.

Europe Plays, Algeria Endures

Belgium’s move is merely the logical continuation of a broader pattern: Europe advances its pawns according to its interests, exploiting internal contradictions among Maghreb countries.

Rabat has a coherent diplomacy—even if built on lies and propaganda: it has a message, an objective, and a strategy of international seduction.

Algiers, by contrast, oscillates between principle and prudence, between assertion and restraint, between verbal indignation and practical passivity.

This inconsistency gives Europeans the comfort of a double game: openly supporting Morocco while courting Algeria for its resources, its market, and its energy role.

And Algeria, lacking a firm doctrine, agrees to engage with those who have just provoked it.

A Vacuum of National Doctrine

The root of the problem is simple: Algeria has never clearly defined its diplomatic red lines.

It reacts case by case, issuing statements of circumstance, without an overarching strategy or coordination between political and economic diplomacy.

As long as this coherence is missing, foreign partners will continue to test Algeria’s limits—and exploit them.

Conclusion: Firmness Is Not a Slogan, It Is a Policy

If Algeria wants respect, it must redefine its national priorities and condition all economic cooperation on strict adherence to its fundamental interests—starting with the Western Sahara issue.

This is not a patriotic luxury; it is a strategic necessity.

As long as we keep speaking of “friendship” with those who support our adversaries, we will remain condemned to diplomatic humiliation.

Europe does not disrespect us out of ignorance.

It does so because we ourselves have not yet decided to be respected.

By Belgacem Merbah


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