Sahara : Algerian President secures a concession from the Slovenian President [Updated]

On May 12 and 13, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune visited Slovenia, bringing with him the sensitive issue of Western Sahara. In Ljubljana, following a meeting with his Slovenian counterpart, Nataša Pirc Musar, Tebboune expressed satisfaction with what he called «complete understanding between Algeria and Slovenia on all matters».

He praised Slovenia’s stance on Western Sahara, which supports «a solution accepted by both parties under the auspices of the United Nations, recognizing the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination through a referendum».

For her part, President Pirc Musar reaffirmed Slovenia’s position in a statement, expressing support for «a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable political solution under UN auspices, based on compromise and taking into account the population’s right to self-determination, in line with UN resolutions and the principles of the UN Charter».

It’s worth recalling that on April 18, the Slovenian government reiterated that Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara «provides a solid basis for a definitive solution» to the regional dispute. In Slovenia—a parliamentary republic—foreign policy is handled by the head of government.

Tebboune’s state visit concluded with a meeting with Prime Minister Robert Golob, during which the two sides signed cooperation agreements on political consultations, police collaboration, and maritime transport. Algerian media also reported the signing of a memorandum of understanding on peaceful space cooperation.

However, the issue of Western Sahara was not brought up with the Prime Minister, just as it was left unaddressed during his visit to Algiers in August 2024.

Tebboune’s visit has raised eyebrows, particularly in light of Algeria’s notable absence from Russia’s May 9 celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. Russian President Vladimir Putin had invited leaders from Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso—and notably, Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar—to attend the ceremony.