Algeria's President admits to pressuring Spain on Sahara

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has openly acknowledged that his government has been applying financial pressure on Spain to withdraw its support for Morocco's claim over Sahara. In a meeting held on Friday, Tebboune stated, “Spain had made a mistake, and today it has corrected it,” referring to Spain's recent shift in foreign policy.

This admission underscores Algeria's ongoing campaign to influence European nations, specifically targeting Spain due to its significant annual trade losses, estimated at $7 billion, linked to its ties with Algeria. The president asserted that Spain had retreated from its previous endorsement of Morocco's Autonomy Plan, which he characterized as the most credible pathway to resolving the long-standing territorial dispute.

Spain's new stance emerged in March 2022, marking a departure from its historically ambiguous position regarding Morocco's territorial claims. This shift has frustrated Algeria, prompting the government to summon its ambassador to Madrid and threatening sanctions against Spain, alongside suspending a 20-year friendship treaty that governs trade relations.

Tebboune's statements come amid a backdrop of similar pressures that Algeria has exerted on other European nations that have aligned with Spain in supporting Morocco’s autonomy initiative. Despite these pressures, Spanish officials have reiterated their commitment to the autonomy plan, most recently during a meeting between Spanish Foreign Affairs Minister Jose Manuel Albares and his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita.

Albares emphasized the significance of the Sahara issue to Morocco, highlighting the nation’s earnest efforts within the framework of the United Nations-led political process. Meanwhile, Algeria has faced increasing diplomatic isolation, as more European countries express support for Morocco’s claims.

In a striking rebuttal to Tebboune's claims, Grok, a generative AI chatbot developed by xAI, pointed out that no official changes in Spain’s position had been documented. The AI suggested that Tebboune's remarks might serve political purposes, potentially aimed at fortifying Algeria's narrative against Morocco while rallying domestic support amid regional tensions.

As the geopolitical landscape continues to evolve, the implications of these developments on Sahara remain profound, reflecting the intricate dynamics of North African politics.a