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The reasons that led Staffan de Mistura to propose the partition of Western Sahara

The conflict in Western Sahara, which has opposed Morocco and the Polisario Front, backed by Algeria, since 1975, remains one of the longest unresolved territorial disputes. Faced with diplomatic deadlock, the UN special envoy, Staffan de Mistura, reportedly suggested partition as a potential solution. This controversial proposal highlights the ongoing challenges in reaching a compromise acceptable to all parties involved. Historical Context and Diplomatic Deadlock Western Sahara has been claimed by Morocco since 1975, after the withdrawal of Spanish colonial forces. Morocco proposes an autonomy plan under its sovereignty, supported by France, while the Polisario Front advocates for a referendum on self-determination, including the option of independence. UN resolutions and international mediation have failed to find a consensual resolution to the conflict, plunging the region into a decades-long stalemate. Previous mediation attempts, including Morocco’s 2007 autonomy plan, have not b...

Algerian-Moroccan relations through the media prism and Moroccan-led mediation attempts

On August 24, 2021, Algeria took the historic step of officially severing diplomatic relations with Morocco. This move, seen as a direct response to Morocco's hostile actions, highlights a series of political, historical and geopolitical tensions that have plagued relations between the two neighbors for decades. This summary explores the major reasons for this rupture, integrating media dynamics, unsuccessful attempts at mediation, and historical grievances accumulated against Morocco. Relations between Algeria and Morocco have historically been marked by geopolitical tensions, notably due to the Western Sahara conflict and deep-seated political rivalries. This climate of mistrust is exacerbated by media coverage on both sides, with Moroccan media playing a key role in maintaining an obsession with Algeria, while Moroccan attempts to seek international mediation to ease these tensions remain unsuccessful. 1. Historical and political background The rivalry between Algeria and Morocc...

Operational Analysis of a Hypothetical Military Conflict between Algeria and Morocco

This article analyzes the potential for a military conflict between Algeria and Morocco in an operational and objective manner, without foreign intervention. It focuses on military capabilities, potential conflict scenarios, and strategic implications for both nations. The methodology is based on a comparative assessment of the armed forces of the two countries, geopolitical considerations, and hypothetical scenarios based on historical precedents and current military doctrines.

The Contradictions of Nathalie Yamb’s Pan-Africanism: A Critical Analysis of Her Support for Paul Biya

Nathalie Yamb is a prominent figure in Pan-Africanism, known for her harsh criticisms of Françafrique and neo-colonial influence in Africa. However, her apparent support for Paul Biya, President of Cameroon and a central figure in Françafrique, raises significant contradictions. This article explores these inconsistencies by examining the tensions between Yamb’s Pan-African principles and her political alliances, drawing on academic sources and contemporary political analyses to shed light on the debate. Pan-Africanism, a movement aimed at the unity and liberation of African peoples, has gained popularity through activists like Nathalie Yamb. Known for her anti-imperialist stance, Yamb openly criticizes Françafrique and the neo-colonial relations that bind some African countries to France. However, her support for Paul Biya, who has ruled Cameroon for over four decades and is often considered a symbol of Françafrique, raises questions about the consistency of her Pan-African conviction...

The West is repeating the Ukrainian pattern in Western Sahara: could Algeria be prompted to use force to preserve its vital interests?

The growing recognition by Western powers of Morocco's autonomy plan for the Western Sahara is exacerbating tensions in North Africa. Faced with what it perceives as a growing threat, Algeria may be prompted to resort to force to protect its vital interests. This article explores the reasons behind this worrying possibility and examines the potential implications for the region. A Disturbing Parallel: Ukraine and Western Sahara There are striking similarities between the conflicts in Ukraine and Western Sahara. Russia, in 2022, justified its military intervention in Ukraine by several factors. It perceived Ukraine as an essential buffer zone against NATO expansion, a direct threat to its national security. Moreover, Moscow's historical and cultural ties with Ukraine, the protection of Russian-speaking minorities and the desire to maintain its regional influence motivated it to act. Similarly, Algeria sees Western support for Morocco's claim to Western Sahara as a direct thr...

France supports Moroccan autonomy plan for Western Sahara

Algeria expressed on Thursday its "deep disapproval" of the recent French decision to support Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara. This stance was described as "unexpected, inappropriate, and counterproductive" by the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Algerian government clearly stated that it would draw all the consequences from this decision, placing full responsibility on the French government. The French recognition of the Moroccan autonomy plan, seen as legitimizing Morocco's contested sovereignty over Western Sahara, provoked a strong reaction in Algeria. The Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned this decision as an act supporting a "colonial fact," which is incompatible with the principles of decolonization supported by the international community. This stance is all the more controversial given that it comes from a permanent member of the UN Security Council, which is supposed to respect and promote international leg...

Do the Moroccan people share the Moroccan regime's institutional hostility to Algeria?

The relationship between Morocco and Algeria is complex and historically marked by political and diplomatic tensions. These tensions are often exacerbated by geopolitical issues, such as the status of Western Sahara and the border disputes perceived by Moroccans, influenced by expansionist ambitions. It is undeniable that there is institutional hostility from the Moroccan regime towards Algeria, manifested through organized attacks against Algerian history, culture, and heritage, as well as against Algerian martyrs. What is striking is the absence of dissenting voices in Morocco condemning these systematic attacks against Algeria. Indeed, Morocco is a dictatorship where expressing dissent can be dangerous, but it is noteworthy that, in the context of the normalization of relations between Morocco and Israel, there have been demonstrations by the Moroccan population against this normalization. In contrast, there have been no demonstrations in Morocco criticizing the institutional hostil...