ALGERIAN PATRIOTS - ENGLISH

A recent article published by Assahifa, a Moroccan outlet known for its close ties to the ruling elite in Rabat, inadvertently sheds light on one of the most significant geopolitical shifts in the Maghreb in decades: the entry into service of Russian-made Su-35 fighter jets in Algeria — one of the most advanced combat aircraft of our time. In an article titled “After Being Rejected by Egypt and Iran… Satellite Images Reveal the Presence of Su-35 Fighters in Algeria”, the Moroccan media outlet delves into the arrival of these jets at an Algerian airbase with a tone that is both alarmist and revealing. While emphasizing that these aircraft had previously been turned down by Egypt and Iran, the piece unintentionally unveils deeper Moroccan anxieties — both military and diplomatic. The Su-35: A Game Changer That Has Rabat Trembling Originally destined for Egypt, the Su-35 jets were ultimately acquired by Algeria after Cairo backed out under Western pressure. Known for their exceptional ag...

In the obscure twists and turns of Moroccan intelligence, a new episode – pathetic as much as revealing – has been added to the long list of clumsy maneuvers by an institution more adept at political tinkering than enlightened strategy. The General Directorate of Studies and Documentation (DGED), visibly disoriented by the kingdom's repeated diplomatic failures on the Sahrawi issue, ventured to fabricate a supposed Syrian document. This document was meant to support the idea of a collusion between the Polisario Front and the Islamic Republic of Iran – a fanciful alliance, tailor-made to provoke international indignation. But this attempt to associate the Sahrawi movement with Tehran or Hezbollah is nothing new. Morocco has been trying for years to portray the Polisario as an unsavory group, hoping to pass it off as a terrorist organization. This repetitive and desperate strategy of disinformation stems from a realization of impotence: Rabat is out of arguments in a conflict where i...

New York, April 16, 2025. In the solemn chamber of the United Nations Security Council, a man takes the floor. With composure, precision, and a measured gravitas, Staffan de Mistura , the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Western Sahara, delivers a briefing that, according to several diplomats present, may well mark a turning point in the protracted Sahrawi dossier. This report comes at a highly charged moment: fifty years after Spain’s withdrawal from Western Sahara in 1975, the question of decolonization remains unresolved, frozen in a status quo that only a crisis—or a concerted international awakening—might shake loose. For the first time in a long while, such a shift now appears within reach. A Diplomatic Trilogy at the Core of the Report Three key messages emerge from De Mistura’s address—three pillars that reflect both the current posture of the United States and shifting power dynamics within the Security Council. 1. Toward “Genuine” Autonomy: A Call for Clari...

Following the report presented on April 16, 2025, by Staffan de Mistura, the United Nations Special Envoy, who solemnly urged Morocco to further clarify its autonomy proposal—a sparse document of just 35 articles spread over barely four and a half pages—Rabat responded with notable, almost embarrassed, reticence. In the analysis that follows, we rigorously and precisely highlight the real reasons preventing the long-awaited clarification. For contrary to the official narrative that describes the plan as “serious” and “credible,” it does not withstand either a thorough legal examination or the fundamental principles of international law. The Western Sahara conflict, long classified on the United Nations agenda as a decolonization issue, remains one of the most sensitive and pivotal matters for the stability of the Maghreb region and beyond. In 2007, Morocco put forward an “Initiative for Negotiating an Autonomy Statute,” intended to serve as the cornerstone of a final settlement. Yet be...

April 16, 2025 — Staffan de Mistura, the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, delivered a rare and substantial briefing before the Security Council. His report comes at a critical juncture, marked by significant bilateral diplomatic movements, yet overshadowed by a fifty-year-old political deadlock. With a tone both measured and resolute, De Mistura outlines a situation mired in stagnation, yet fraught with potential triggers—some promising hope, others bearing risk. Bilateral Dynamics Shrouded in Ambiguity The report opens by highlighting two key bilateral developments: Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita’s visit to Washington on April 8, and his French counterpart Stéphane Barrot’s visit to Algiers two days earlier. Although the Western Sahara issue was not officially on the agenda, the visits reflect renewed attention from two permanent members of the Security Council—namely the United States and France—to regional stability. Of particular note is the U...

There are narratives we repeat endlessly, slogans waved like banners to seduce, and seduce again—until the lie becomes almost truth. In recent years, Morocco has positioned itself as a supposed champion of Pan-Africanism, multiplying diplomatic gestures, royal visits, and economic agreements across sub-Saharan Africa. But behind this carefully maintained façade, what does this influence strategy truly conceal? How can a kingdom with such an ambiguous foreign policy claim to embody the deep aspirations of the African continent—especially those of the Sahel? Morocco’s Shadow Over the Sahel The Sahelian countries, plagued by terrorism for over a decade, are seeking out various partners in the hope of achieving stability. Among them, Morocco has emerged as a regional interlocutor, claiming to offer its expertise, support, and “African solidarity.” But isn’t it paradoxical—or even cynical—to see Rabat playing the savior in a crisis that, according to several observers, it may have covertl...

The date of August 24, 2021, will remain etched in the annals of Algerian diplomacy as the moment when Algeria, through the voice of Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra, announced the severance of its diplomatic ties with the Kingdom of Morocco. This decision, described as historic, was not the result of emotional overreaction or an isolated incident. Rather, it represents the culmination of a long series of provocations, recurrent hostilities, and destabilizing attempts, the roots of which trace back to the very founding of the Moroccan monarchy as we know it today. In this solemn declaration, Algeria took a firm and unequivocal stance, no longer viewing Morocco as a brotherly Maghreb neighbour, but as a disruptive actor threatening its stability and that of the broader region. The symbolism of the chosen date — the anniversary of Morocco's accusations against Algeria following the 1994 Marrakech attacks — lends a powerful memorial dimension to Algeria’s decision. I. The "Grea...

For several days now, the media and diplomatic landscape of the Sahel has been roiled by a series of flamboyant statements, the most resounding of which came from former Malian Prime Minister Dr. Choguel Kokalla Maïga. In a speech dated April 9, 2025, he launched a scathing attack against Algeria, accusing it of duplicity in its Sahel policy. But what is this tirade really worth, if not a carefully orchestrated distraction? More importantly, who is pulling the strings behind this African stage play? One truth stands out: those who rail against Algiers are, whether knowingly or not, serving the agendas of powers that have never relinquished their grip on the continent. A Moroccan Attempt to Rewrite African History For several years now, Morocco has been relentlessly active on the African diplomatic front, seeking to portray itself as a benevolent and selfless power. But beneath the polished rhetoric of South-South cooperation and continental integration lies a cold, calculated strateg...

 The recent diplomatic flare-up between Mali and Algeria is far more than a mere border dispute or an isolated military incident. At its core lies a deeper and more strategic struggle—one that revolves around the future of energy in the Sahel and West Africa. The competing visions for this future are embodied in two massive projects: the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline (TSGP), championed by Algeria, and the Nigeria-Morocco Atlantic gas pipeline. A Crisis That Reveals Regional Fractures In early April 2025, Algeria issued a firm diplomatic note condemning Mali's "baseless allegations" after the Algerian military shot down a Malian drone that had allegedly violated Algerian airspace for the third time since August 2024. Algeria, citing radar evidence, maintained that its response was both measured and necessary. Bamako’s reaction, however, was not limited to protesting the drone incident. The Malian transitional government accused Algeria of colluding with terrorist groups—a ...