Algeria's Stance on Western Sahara: Self-Determination, Not Territory

Algeria does not seek territory in Western Sahara. Its position is principled and consistent since 1975:

Core Policy

• Support for Sahrawi Self-Determination: Backs the Polisario Front (Frente POLISARIO) as sole legitimate representative of the Sahrawi people.
• Right to Referendum: Demands implementation of UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) mandate – a free, fair vote on independence vs. integration with Morocco.
• Humanitarian Duty: Hosts ~173,000 Sahrawi refugees (UNHCR 2023) in Tindouf camps (Algerian territory) since 1975. Provides land, security, education, health coordination.
• Legal Basis: ICJ Advisory Opinion (1975) – no sovereignty ties between Western Sahara & Morocco/Mauritania; self-determination applies. UN GA Resolutions (decolonization).

Why the Misconception?

• Morocco claims Algeria "created" Polisario to gain Atlantic access (port of Dakhla).
• Algeria-Morocco rivalry (closed border 1994, diplomatic break 2021) colors perception.
• Algeria's strategic depth argument: Stable, independent Western Sahara ≠ Moroccan irredentism on Algerian borders (Tindouf, Bechar).

Current Status (2024)

• Ceasefire broken (Nov 2020) – low-intensity conflict.
• Morocco controls ~80% (west of berm); Polisario controls east ("Liberated Territories").
• UN Security Council renews MINURSO annually (no referendum progress).
• Algeria: "We will not normalize with Israel (Morocco did 2020) until Sahrawi rights fulfilled."