In Seoul, Ahmed Attaf avoided any reference to the Polisario or to the Sahara’s «self-determination» during the African Union–South Korea ministerial meeting. It was a conspicuous silence that has sparked anger in the Tindouf camps and confirms Algiers’ clear retreat on the issue in international forums.
After Polisario projectiles targeted the city of Smara, Algeria has moved to ease tensions with United States. Between conciliatory remarks by Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf, diplomatic outreach in Washington and reshuffles at the top of the domestic intelligence services, Algiers appears to be trying to convince the Trump administration of its good faith on the Sahara issue.