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On Wednesday, April 9, Algeria and the Polisario Front responded to the Trump administration’s reaffirmation of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara. In a measured statement, the Algerian Minister of Foreign Affairs said they had «taken note of the State Department’s confirmation of the United States’ position, which considers the autonomy plan under Moroccan sovereignty as the only solution to the conflict».
Algeria says it «regrets» the move, particularly coming from «a permanent member of the Security Council, which is expected to uphold international law and respect Security Council resolutions».
The statement reiterated Algeria’s longstanding position: «The question of Western Sahara is above all a matter of incomplete decolonization and an unfulfilled right to self-determination».
In contrast to its reaction following France’s recognition of Moroccan sovereignty on July 30, 2024, Algeria did not condemn the American decision, recall its ambassador for consultations, or announce any retaliatory economic measures against Washington.
Polisario Aligns with Algeria
The Polisario Front echoed Algeria’s stance. «The Sahrawi government and the Polisario Front have taken note of the recent statements made to the press by the U.S. State Department», it said.
The separatist group expressed «deep regret at the clear bias of the American administration in favor of Morocco’s expansionist claims over the Sahrawi Republic—an attitude that blatantly contradicts international law, including resolutions of the UN General Assembly and the Security Council, as well as decisions by international, African, and European courts».
The Polisario accused Morocco of obstructing the «decolonization process» in the region and reaffirmed its commitment to the 1991 settlement plan. It stressed that the conflict «cannot be resolved outside the framework of international law, which is grounded in the Sahrawi people’s sacred right to self-determination, independence, and sovereignty, as well as respect for human rights and democratic principles—core elements of any just and lasting solution».
Like Algeria, the Polisario refrained from directly condemning the Trump administration’s reaffirmed support for Morocco’s claim, which the U.S. restated on Tuesday following talks between Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and his counterpart Marco Rubio.
The Trump administration’s message effectively dashed hopes in Algiers and among the Polisario leadership for a potential U.S. policy shift. Washington urged the Polisario to negotiate within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty, based on the autonomy plan proposed by Rabat in 2007. Algiers had attempted to sway the Trump administration by offering concessions on its stance toward Israel and privileged access to Algeria’s rare earth minerals.
