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Ya Biladi
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Sahara : When Algeria sides with a Zionist to undermine Morocco [Editorial]
مدة القراءة: 2' In recent days, Algerian state media (notably APS) have eagerly amplified John Bolton's call for a revival of a self-determination referendum in Western Sahara. The former neoconservative hawk, known for his hardline opposition to the United Nations, unwavering support for Israel, and aggressive stance toward the Arab world, is now being portrayed - through Algeria's official voice - as an unlikely ally on one of its core foreign policy issues. The irony is glaring, and this alignment raises more questions than it answers. John Bolton is a symbol of political Zionism in Washington, a champion of moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, a vocal supporter of U.S.-led wars in the Middle East, and a staunch advocate for Israeli interests. He embodies everything the Algerian regime claims to oppose: Western imperialism, aggression against Arab nations, and most of all, Israeli policies toward Palestinians. Yet Algiers, which touts its support for Palestine as a cornerstone of its diplomacy, has chosen to celebrate the very man who stands in ideological opposition to those values. Palestine Sacrificed on the Altar of the Polisario This isn't just an ideological contradiction, it reflects a clear hierarchy of priorities. By aligning itself with Bolton's position, Algeria shows that it is willing to sideline its historic commitments whenever the chance to undermine Morocco presents itself. The Palestinian cause, often waved at Pan-African, Arab, or Non-Aligned summits, becomes secondary to Algeria's fixation on the Sahara. It's a logic reminiscent of temporary alliances in conflict zones, where sworn enemies unite against a shared foe. But here, it's not a desperate wartime pact, it's a calculated diplomatic move. Algeria, which presents itself as a champion of anti-imperialist solidarity, is symbolically aligning with an ideologue whose worldview is the very antithesis of its stated doctrine. And it's not even doing so in the name of national security, but to prop up a separatist movement that has been steadily losing international traction. Worse still, Bolton is calling on Algeria to make financial concessions to benefit Trump and American corporations. Realpolitik or Rank Inconsistency? Some analysts, like those quoted by El Independiente, frame this as realpolitik, a pragmatic strategy where ideology takes a back seat to national interest. Fair enough. But that framing doesn't erase the glaring contradiction of a regime that claims to be a fortress of Palestinian solidarity while publicly legitimizing one of the most outspoken proponents of American Zionism. Algeria, which regularly condemns Morocco's normalization with Israel, now finds itself echoing figures who helped craft that very normalization across the Arab world. This strange convergence feels less like a calculated strategy and more like a revealing slip. The Algerian regime appears increasingly willing to set aside all its red lines, including its foundational anti-Zionism and anti-colonialism, for the sake of opposing Morocco. And perhaps that's the real takeaway from this episode: in certain diplomatic battles, the masks eventually fall. Algeria's support for the Polisario seems, now more than ever, less about the principle of self-determination and more about a deeply entrenched hostility toward Morocco.
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Ya Biladi
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Sahara : When Algeria sides with a Zionist to undermine Morocco [Editorial]
In recent days, Algerian state media (notably APS) have eagerly amplified John Bolton's call for a revival of a self-determination referendum in Western Sahara. The former neoconservative hawk, known for his hardline opposition to the United Nations, unwavering support for Israel, and aggressive stance toward the Arab world, is now being portrayed - through Algeria's official voice - as an unlikely ally on one of its core foreign policy issues. The irony is glaring, and this alignment raises more questions than it answers. John Bolton is a symbol of political Zionism in Washington, a champion of moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, a vocal supporter of U.S.-led wars in the Middle East, and a staunch advocate for Israeli interests. He embodies everything the Algerian regime claims to oppose: Western imperialism, aggression against Arab nations, and most of all, Israeli policies toward Palestinians. Yet Algiers, which touts its support for Palestine as a cornerstone of its diplomacy, has chosen to celebrate the very man who stands in ideological opposition to those values. Palestine Sacrificed on the Altar of the Polisario This isn't just an ideological contradiction, it reflects a clear hierarchy of priorities. By aligning itself with Bolton's position, Algeria shows that it is willing to sideline its historic commitments whenever the chance to undermine Morocco presents itself. The Palestinian cause, often waved at Pan-African, Arab, or Non-Aligned summits, becomes secondary to Algeria's fixation on the Sahara. It's a logic reminiscent of temporary alliances in conflict zones, where sworn enemies unite against a shared foe. But here, it's not a desperate wartime pact, it's a calculated diplomatic move. Algeria, which presents itself as a champion of anti-imperialist solidarity, is symbolically aligning with an ideologue whose worldview is the very antithesis of its stated doctrine. And it's not even doing so in the name of national security, but to prop up a separatist movement that has been steadily losing international traction. Worse still, Bolton is calling on Algeria to make financial concessions to benefit Trump and American corporations. Realpolitik or Rank Inconsistency? Some analysts, like those quoted by El Independiente, frame this as realpolitik, a pragmatic strategy where ideology takes a back seat to national interest. Fair enough. But that framing doesn't erase the glaring contradiction of a regime that claims to be a fortress of Palestinian solidarity while publicly legitimizing one of the most outspoken proponents of American Zionism. Algeria, which regularly condemns Morocco's normalization with Israel, now finds itself echoing figures who helped craft that very normalization across the Arab world. This strange convergence feels less like a calculated strategy and more like a revealing slip. The Algerian regime appears increasingly willing to set aside all its red lines, including its foundational anti-Zionism and anti-colonialism, for the sake of opposing Morocco. And perhaps that's the real takeaway from this episode: in certain diplomatic battles, the masks eventually fall. Algeria's support for the Polisario seems, now more than ever, less about the principle of self-determination and more about a deeply entrenched hostility toward Morocco.
Morocco World
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Bolton's Bluster Attempts to Trivialize US Foreign Policy with Baseless Western Sahara Claims
Rabat – Former US National Security Advisor John Bolton — a vocal advocate for Polisario and its terrorist agenda targeting Morocco's sovereignty and security – continues to disseminate what critics describe as empty rhetoric, baseless and contradictory remarks on the Western Sahara dispute amid a growing international momentum backing Morocco's territorial integrity. Bolton, who was ousted by Trump in 2019 as a national security advisor, has been conveying similar remarks in a series of recent interviews, including one published by El Independiente on July 6. During the interview, he attempted to trivialize the US foreign policy, especially on Western Sahara, claiming that President Donald Trump could reconsider his position on the dispute if he were offered business incentives such as resort concessions along the Atlantic coast. When asked about Trump's approach, Bolton said that 'Western Sahara has a long Atlantic coast. He could imagine building resorts and casinos there,' further claiming that 'If his company were given a concession to develop in the area, maybe that would make him support a referendum- if he sees some incentive to change his position.' Bolton advised the Polisaro separatist group to consider a solution 'where they have something to gain.' His claims not only reduced a long-standing diplomatic position but also downplayed the institutional weight of his own country's foreign policy. Bolton also fixated on the referendum proposal for Western Sahara, which has long been regarded as an outdated and politically obsolete initiative that has been stalled for decades. Morocco's Autonomy Plan, meanwhile, continues to gain growing international support. Not only the US, but France, Spain, and more than 113 countries worldwide expressed endorsement for the autonomy initiative, viewing it as the only or the most realistic and credible solution for the Western Sahara dispute. In contrast, the referendum proposal has been receiving support from just a few countries, like South Africa and Algeria, as a solution to end the dispute. However, the international community has acknowledged that a sustainable solution in the Western Sahara requires a lasting and realistic approach. Fixating on baseless narratives Like Bolton, Algeria has been obsessively fixated on the referendum, which is no longer referenced or mentioned by the Security Council or the UN General Assembly – whom buried that option since 2002 and 2003, respectively. Despite recent developments, Bolton and Algeria's regime continue to cling to outdated narratives and refuse to acknowledge the growing momentum backing Morocco's initiative. In his interview, Bolton echoed the same narratives he has been disseminating in almost all of his interviews, claiming it 'would have been a simple referendum.' 'I still believe the US could say: 'Look, we're recognizing Morocco's de facto control, but we still think a referendum should be held,'' Bolton claimed. Such claims come as little surprise from Bolton, who has long shown support for Polisaro's terrorist acts to downplay or indirectly justify the group's actions targeting Morocco's security. In a recent interview in June, Bolton minimized the separatist group's terrorist links despite mounting evidence of their extremist activities, claiming that he saw no warning signs in regard to Polisario during his visits to Tindouf. 'I've been to Tindouf, I think the first time was about 30 years ago. I saw no signs of Marxists, jihadists, or Iranians, or anything like that,' he claimed. Bolton described reports of Polisario terrorist attacks against Morocco's southern provinces as mere 'desperate propaganda.' The former national security advisor, who has been seen as a warmonger by many, has also disregarded the international appeals, even from within his own country, that have been calling for labeling the Polisario Front as a terrorist group. Last month, Republican Congressman Joe Wilson announced that he submitted a bipartisan bill to the US Congress to classify the separatist group as a foreign terrorist organization. 'The Polisario is a Marxist militia backed by Iran, Hezbollah and Russia providing Iran a strategic outpost in Africa and destabilizing the Kingdom of Morocco, a U.S. ally for 248 years,' the bill read.
Ya Biladi
14-04-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Map of Morocco including the Sahara : Sanchez government disappoints pro-Polisario MPs
In the lower house of the Spanish Parliament, the Minister for Ecological Transition, Sara Aagesen, addressed the controversy sparked by the publication of a full map of Morocco by AEMET—the national meteorological agency—that included Western Sahara. When asked whether the map would be revised, she referred to a «technical complexity» but did not confirm any forthcoming changes, according to El Independiente. The map in question, shared on AEMET's social media channels in March, originates from the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), a European Union program implemented by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). The map illustrates temperature anomalies and, according to AEMET, carries no political implications, as the data provided is open and freely accessible. Last week, two MPs from the far-left coalition Sumar formally requested that AEMET «correct» the map of Morocco to exclude Western Sahara. The request, submitted by Enrique Santiago and Toni Valero, has not yet received a public response from the meteorological agency. The Spanish far left, meanwhile, is currently engaged in commemorating the proclamation of the Second Republic on April 14, 1931. In their written questions, the Sumar parliamentarians also urged Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's government to «take steps to support the self-determination of the Sahrawi people through a referendum, in accordance with United Nations resolutions». Spanish public institutions often «correct» maps including Western Sahara within Morocco's borders following complaints from allies of the Polisario Front. This was the case with ENAIRE, the company in charge of air navigation, and the director general of RTVE, who issued an apology in December 2023.
Ya Biladi
13-03-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Madrid's Africa strategy faces criticism over Western Sahara exclusion
Spain's cooperation strategy with Africa, titled «Spain-Africa 2025-2028: Working Together Through a Strategic Partnership», makes no mention of Western Sahara or the «Sahrawi people». This omission has sparked criticism from certain political circles in Spain and media outlets affiliated with the Polisario Front. The 96-page document references Morocco nine times in contexts related to trade, culture, and migration, compared to just four mentions of Algeria. It describes Morocco as «Spain's main trading partner in Africa, followed by Algeria, Nigeria, Libya, and South Africa», while also highlighting the historical ties between the two countries. Additionally, the report notes that «Spain has a long tradition of educational and cultural cooperation with Africa, thanks to the efforts of various actors in the field, with a clear geographical focus on Morocco and Guinea». The exclusion of Western Sahara has drawn criticism from Spanish media outlets known for their opposition to Morocco. The newspaper El Independiente reiterated the Polisario Front's position, claiming that the territory was «completely ignored in the document, despite Spain still being, legally speaking, the administrative power of this territory». Similarly, Vozpópuli reported that the Spanish government had «completely overlooked Western Sahara in the Spain-Africa Strategy 2025-2028, failing to mention the Sahrawi people or the Sahrawi issue in a document intended to guide Spanish cooperation with Africa in the coming years». Polisario-affiliated media also condemned the omission. The Spanish-language site Saharawi noted that while the previous strategy focused on sub-Saharan Africa while excluding the Maghreb, the new plan encompasses all African countries, including Morocco, but deliberately ignores Western Sahara. The outlet suggested that this exclusion was a calculated move, with many analysts believing that Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares omitted Western Sahara to appease Morocco. It further argued that this decision aligns with Spain's broader shift on the Sahrawi conflict, which culminated in Madrid's 2022 recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over the territory. Since then, Spanish-Moroccan relations have been shaped by a new approach—one that, according to critics, now includes sidestepping the Western Sahara issue in official policy documents.
