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UN report highlights Algeria’s reluctance on Sahara without taking decisive action
Algeria continues to sidestep the UN-led political process on Sahara, yet the United Nations has not implemented strong measures to compel the country to engage constructively. The latest report by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres underscores Algeria’s ongoing reluctance while urging all parties to support a political solution.
In his report, Guterres noted that Algeria maintains a cautious distance from the Sahara dispute. Paragraph 28 highlights statements from Algeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Ahmed Attaf, who insisted that Algeria does not consider itself a party to the conflict. Paragraph 32 emphasized the repeated reluctance of Algeria’s government to actively contribute to resolving the dispute.
“Foreign Minister Attaf reiterated his government’s continued support for direct talks between Morocco and Frente Polisario under the aegis of the United Nations, with the presence of Algeria and Mauritania,” the report stated.
Despite acknowledging Algeria’s influence in prolonging the conflict, the UN report stops short of applying pressure on President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s administration, which continues to back Polisario’s independence claims.
The report also highlights Morocco’s advances, including the UK’s support for Morocco’s Autonomy Plan in June, framing it as a genuine contribution to the UN-led political process. The United States reaffirmed its support in April, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio recognizing Morocco’s sovereignty over Sahara and endorsing the Autonomy Plan as the only viable framework for resolution.
The UN “strongly” urges all concerned parties to engage without delay in the political process. However, the report avoids directly naming Algeria as an obstructive actor, offering cautious appeals rather than concrete steps.
“I remain deeply concerned by the situation in Sahara and the entrenched circumstances on the ground that continue to impede progress towards a political solution to the conflict,” Guterres said.
For years, Algeria has ignored UN calls and rejected Morocco’s offers for direct negotiations aimed at resolving the stalemate, which continues to hinder Maghreb unity. Diplomatic relations have remained severed since 2021, with Algeria citing unverified allegations against Morocco while maintaining actions that challenge Moroccan territorial integrity.
Guterres urged renewed efforts for regional cooperation, emphasizing that neighboring states play a crucial role in achieving a lasting solution, which would enhance both security and development prospects across the region.
