The US is pleading with Algeria for a “dignified political solution” for Western Sahara

The American government advocated before the Algerian government continue to work towards a “dignified political solution” for Western Saharaa scenario in which Washington did not officially revoke the recognition of Moroccan sovereignty issued by then-President Donald Trump at the end of 2020.

US Assistant Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Ataf held a telephone conversation in which, among other things, they talked about the need to continue working for “regional stability” and the recent election of Algeria as a member of the UN Security Council.

Washington is confident it can work with Algeria in the Council on a “wide range of challenges”, including “full support” to the UN special envoy for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, who has tried in vain to bring the parties closer to continue a process that has stagnated to date.

Joe Biden’s administration has emphasized its support for De Mistura at a time when it is “intensifying efforts to achieve a lasting and dignified political solution for Western Sahara”. In this scenario, Algeria is a key partner of the Polisario Front, which claims the right to self-determination for the former Spanish colony against the autonomy plan proposed by the King of Morocco, Mohamed VI.

Rabat received diplomatic support during Trump’s time in the White House, when the former president supported the Moroccan identity of Western Sahara. The Biden administration avoided being associated with this statement and limited itself to considering the Moroccan autonomy plan as a “serious, credible and realistic” project, without indicating that it is the only valid one, but without formally breaking with the 2020 thesis.