Algeria Embarrassed for Exploiting the Palestinian Cause: International Support for Moroccan Sahara Against an Algerian Campaign at the Human Rights Council
Geneva – The international stage has recently witnessed an increase in international support for Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara. During a meeting of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, 38 countries declared their full support for Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara. This stance was a direct response to Algeria’s continuous attempts to complicate the issue by bringing the Sahara question into human rights discussions, making an unjustified comparison between the artificial conflict over the Moroccan Sahara and the Palestinian cause. But does this Algerian tactic align with the contexts of international disputes? How does this behavior contribute to prolonging the conflict?
Algerian Embarrassment at the Human Rights Council
This is not the first time Algeria has tried to use the Palestinian issue as international leverage in the Moroccan Sahara case. Such moves reveal a deeper diplomatic crisis in Algeria, attempting to exploit its non-permanent membership to influence the Sahara issue, which the international community considers resolved, given the broad support for Morocco’s autonomy proposal. But what drives Algeria to escalate?
The Complex Diplomatic Context: In a joint statement, the countries supporting Morocco affirmed that the Palestinian issue should not be used to mislead international public opinion. They emphasized that member states’ interactions with the Human Rights Council must respect the boundaries between human rights and political issues. What is Algeria’s real objective in linking these two issues?
Diplomatic Apologies and Algerian Backpedaling
In a notable development, several ambassadors, including a representative from Palestine, apologized to Morocco, acknowledging that Algeria had misled them into participating in a parallel event during the 57th session of the Human Rights Council. These admissions raise questions about the credibility of Algeria’s actions. Could this be a sign of a declining international support for Algeria?
Role of the Security Council and Morocco’s Autonomy Initiative
Most of the countries that signed the statement confirmed that the Sahara dispute is handled exclusively within the framework of the Security Council, acknowledging Morocco’s autonomy initiative as the only realistic solution. This acknowledgment sends a clear message that the issue is no longer a subject of debate internationally, particularly after the recent Resolution 2703 of October 2023. What are the potential implications of this international recognition on Algeria’s ongoing campaign?
Algeria’s Involvement and Its Support for the Polisario
The report issued by countries supporting Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara went beyond political support, revealing Algeria’s role in prolonging the conflict. Algeria not only provides political and financial support to the Polisario but also plays a key role in arming the separatist front. This involvement has become evident in the successive losses suffered by the Polisario, after many of its allies abandoned it. Is Algeria heading toward international isolation in light of these developments?
Morocco: Pragmatic Policies and Humanitarian Stances
In contrast to Algeria’s policies, Morocco appears to have adopted a more diplomatic and humanitarian approach to international issues. Along with its commitment to the autonomy initiative under its sovereignty, Morocco’s role in the Palestinian cause has been more pragmatic and impactful. Over the years, Morocco has provided humanitarian aid to the Palestinians, especially during the repeated wars on Gaza, far from the political grandstanding adopted by Algeria. Does this difference in approach expose a fundamental flaw in Algeria’s strategy? Are Morocco’s actions more effective on the international stage?
Open Questions:
As Algeria continues to exploit the Palestinian cause to push its separatist agendas on the Moroccan Sahara issue, Morocco counters these maneuvers with growing international support and increasing recognition of the autonomy initiative as a realistic solution to the conflict. The open question remains: how long will Algeria continue to rely on ineffective diplomatic strategies? Could these moves lead to a reevaluation of its foreign policies?
In the end, these events expose a weakness in Algeria’s approach, while Morocco’s internationally supported stance grows stronger. Will the world witness a near end to this artificial conflict?
