The Sahara features in Tebboune’s remarks, not in Spain’s account of Sánchez’s Algeria visit

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez visited Algeria on Monday for his first official trip since a diplomatic rift emerged in March 2022. This tension arose when Madrid expressed support for Morocco’s autonomy plan as a resolution to the Sahara conflict.

In typical fashion, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune brought up the Sahara issue during the joint press conference, but did not disclose specifics about the discussion. He explained that the two countries “addressed the Western Sahara issue, the African Sahel situation, and the Libyan crisis. They agreed to continue dialogue and consultation, emphasizing the need to support UN and multilateral efforts, prioritizing peaceful solutions in line with international law and UN Charter rights.”

In contrast, the Spanish Prime Minister’s office statement omitted any reference to the Sahara, instead highlighting bilateral and regional topics. Sánchez emphasized “Algeria’s strategic role in Sahel region stability,” while expressing Spain’s desire to strengthen EU relations with Mediterranean partners, as per the Spain-Africa Strategy 2025-2028 aimed at deepening ties with Africa.

Sánchez also underscored that “cooperation and understanding between our countries are crucial for enhancing peace, security, and sustainable development in our region,” amidst global geopolitical challenges.

Algeria Drops Its Conditions

Algerian-Spanish relations hit a diplomatic low following Madrid’s endorsement of Morocco’s autonomy plan. Algeria swiftly recalled its ambassador from Madrid, suspended the 2002 Treaty of Friendship, and froze banking operations, affecting trade.

Algeria then demanded “clarifications” from the Spanish government on its stance shift regarding the Sahara, asserting that rebuilding trust required clear, predictable foundations aligned with international law. They stressed that the issue wasn’t simply “temporary anger.”

Nonetheless, from late 2023 onward, Algeria began to mend ties with Spain despite Madrid's ongoing support for Morocco’s plan. It appointed a new ambassador to Madrid, lifted trade restrictions, and reactivated the Treaty of Friendship in March, effectively closing the diplomatic crisis despite Madrid’s continued support for Morocco.

The situation mirrored developments with France, where a diplomatic conflict arose after Paris supported Morocco's Sahara sovereignty. Algeria initially froze relations but gradually retreated from its stance, even as Paris maintained support for Morocco.