AU : Morocco moves to label Polisario as terrorist group
Indeed, in its final declaration, consulted by Yabiladi, the summit «requested the Department of Political Affairs, Peace, and Security to compile a comprehensive list of leaders of armed and terrorist groups in Africa responsible for crimes against refugees and internally displaced persons, and to prosecute those who commit, encourage, finance, or facilitate such crimes». No participant expressed opposition or reservations on this matter.
The implementation of this resolution could encourage refugees to testify about the abuses suffered in the prisons of armed groups. In the case of the Polisario, it is not only Sahrawis and Royal Armed Forces (FAR) soldiers who have endured violations, but also Mauritanians —whose cases have largely been overlooked by human rights organizations.
AU Calls for Refugee Census
The summit also urged member states to «strengthen the protection of refugee camps and internally displaced persons, and to take additional measures to shield them from exploitation by armed and terrorist groups». Additionally, it called on the AU Commission to develop systems for collecting, analyzing, and managing data on refugees, returnees, and internally displaced persons to improve decision-making and ensure effective humanitarian action.
Algeria has long refused UN requests to conduct a census of the population in the Tindouf camps. The latest request was included in UN Security Council Resolution 2756 on Western Sahara, adopted on October 31, 2024. Algeria, however, has consistently pushed back, arguing in September 2022 at the UN General Assembly that «a census only makes sense if it is part of a fair and free referendum allowing the people of Western Sahara to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination».
By securing the African Union's support for its longstanding demand for a census in Tindouf, Morocco has achieved progress within the continental organization, complementing its gains in UN bodies.
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Morocco World
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Sahara: Tebboune's Delusional Rant Exposes Algeria's Diplomatic Collapse
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In reality, less than a third of AU members and fewer than half his claimed number recognize this phantom entity. The scripted charade, broadcast in carefully delayed format across Algeria's state-controlled media, was meant to showcase Tebboune's authority but instead revealed a decrepit regime crumbling under the weight of its own failures. Even the typically subservient Algerian journalists dared to challenge the president's delusional worldview. Tebboune faces rare pushback from Algeria's usually compliant press Mohamed Ousmani, director of information at Ennahar TV, punctured Tebboune's bubble by suggesting that Algeria's 'entêtement' (stubborn refusal to change) and 'manque de pragmatisme' (lack of pragmatism) directly caused the country's humiliating diplomatic defeats against Morocco. When Tebboune insisted Algeria would never abandon its principles regardless of global circumstances, the journalist retorted that this inflexibility was precisely what led to Algeria's consistent diplomatic setbacks, particularly regarding the Sahara artificial dispute. Visibly disturbed by this rare journalistic courage, Tebboune bristled with barely concealed rage and attempted to intimidate the reporter by demanding examples of such failures. Instead of citing the obvious – recognition of Morocco's Sahara sovereignty by the United States, France, Spain, the United Kingdom, and numerous African countries – Ousmani diplomatically replied that 'relations with neighbors should be based on pragmatism, which remains the cornerstone of diplomacy and international relations.' His intimidation tactics kicked in immediately as he snarled at the journalist: 'Are you suggesting we abandon our support for the Polisario and become imperialist?' Tebboune then insinuated sinister 'soubassements' (underpinnings) behind the question, implying the reporter was doing someone else's bidding – a typical authoritarian tactic to silence criticism. Another journalist dared mention Algeria's growing international isolation, which Tebboune dismissed as mere 'manœuvres quotidiennes' (daily maneuvers) from Algeria's enemies, refusing to confront the stark reality of his diplomatic failures. The US sees Algeria as stubborn, stagnant, and out of touch Tebboune's delusions clash violently with facts on the ground. The Washington Institute for Near East Policy's recent report 'Strategic U.S. Engagement with Algeria' brutally dissects Algeria's strategic predicament, pointing out the 'unprecedented Western alignment behind Morocco's plan' and 'what appears to be an irreversible U.S. position of recognizing Moroccan sovereignty over the territory.' The report bluntly characterizes Algeria as having 'a well-earned reputation for resistance to change' while facing 'roiling domestic dissatisfaction' that could force changes in its international partnerships. The think tank suggests that if Algeria ever returns to rational diplomacy, 'Algiers might even conceivably play a role in persuading the Polisario to accept a negotiated model of self-governance, with the Moroccan autonomy plan as the starting framework.' It acknowledges that such a sensible approach remains 'unlikely' given the regime's ideological obstinacy. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio hammered another nail in Algeria's diplomatic coffin in April, declaring Morocco's Autonomy Plan 'the only basis for a just and lasting solution to the dispute.' The message was clear: Algeria stands alone in its rejectionist stance. Even longtime Polisario sympathizers are jumping ship Meanwhile, Tebboune's few remaining African allies are abandoning ship. Jacob Zuma, founder of South Africa's UMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party and third political force in the country, recently stood in Rabat and publicly affirmed Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara. He called for strong diplomatic and economic partnership between South Africa and Morocco – a direct repudiation of Tebboune's failed policies. Zuma's party has issued a damaging ultimatum to President Cyril Ramaphosa, one of Polisario's last major supporters, who has been in power since February 14, 2018, giving him just two days to resign. The party organized confrontational demonstrations at the presidential palace in Pretoria last Friday, condemning Ramaphosa's 'negative record.' If it were to happen, this development would mimic what occurred in Peru when, in September 2023, the new Peruvian president withdrew recognition of the self-styled 'SADR' just months after former president Pedro Castillo's arrest in December 2022. In Tebboune's fantasy fleet, even the lifeboats are sinking When not spouting geopolitical fantasies, Tebboune retreated to economic fiction. Questioned about a supposed $20 billion Malaysian investment, he fumbled: 'in the industry sector!' – unable to provide even basic details of this likely imaginary deal. His litany of fabrications continued with claims that 'In Africa and the Maghreb, we are leaders in artificial intelligence use, especially by our army,' and the laughable assertion that Algeria had transformed from a 'school' into 'the world's largest university for counter-terrorism.' Tebboune's numbers grew increasingly fantastical as the interview progressed. He boasted of 85% completion for 13,000 investment projects, promised a 90-million-quintal cereal security stock, and hallucinated an agricultural production supposedly worth $38 billion in 2025 – figures that analysts consider divorced from economic reality. While bragging of Algeria's supposed economic resilience despite oil price fluctuations, Tebboune conveniently ignored that hydrocarbons still account for 96% of exports, exposing his economic diversification claims as hollow propaganda. The spectacle confirmed what observers have long known: Tebboune inhabits an alternate reality, continuing to praise the Algerian ship as the world's most magnificent vessel even as it takes on water from all sides – trapped between diplomatic isolation, economic stagnation, and growing regional irrelevance. Tags: Algerian President Abdelmadjid TebbouneAlgerian regimeWestern sahara
Ya Biladi
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Sahara : Tebboune accuses Morocco's backers of «imperialist» agenda
Last night, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune sat down for an interview with local media, seizing the moment to criticize nations backing Morocco's position on the Sahara, dismissing them as «imperialists». «I will not abandon the Sahrawis to appease some and become an imperialist myself. Beyond our stance, the rest is a matter of imperialism. What do I stand to lose by continuing to support Western Sahara?» he questioned. «Today, Western Sahara is recognized by half of the African Union members (in reality, less than a third, editor's note). There are 55 states that recognize the Sahrawi Republic (actually, only about half as many, editor's note)», the president claimed. «We have learned to resist. Our principles remain unchanged». The head of state defended Algeria's support for the Polisario Front, rejecting the notion that this stance has only brought «hostility» towards Algeria. Tebboune insisted that «there are no more pragmatic people than Algerians». He pointed to «the strong relations Algeria maintains with the United States, Russia, and China. Non-alignment is in our blood». However, the president avoided discussing the ongoing tensions with the European Union.
Ya Biladi
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Algeria, Polisario hold talks after Zuma affirms support for Morocco on Sahara
Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf met on Thursday in Algiers with Mohamed Yeslem Beissat, his «counterpart» from the Polisario Front. According to a statement from the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the talks focused on «the latest developments regarding the Western Sahara issue», as well as «key matters on the African Union's agenda». The meeting came two days after former South African President Jacob Zuma voiced support for Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara during a visit to Rabat. In response, Algeria sent envoys to South Africa on Wednesday to meet with officials from the ruling African National Congress (ANC), led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, to address the implications of Zuma's remarks, seen as a shift in tone from one of the country's most influential political figures. For context, Mohamed Yeslem Beissat previously served as the Polisario's representative in Pretoria. Before his departure from South Africa, he held talks with several pro-Polisario organizations and spoke with Ramaphosa on the sidelines of an ANC gathering.
