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While voices are trying to close the Western Sahara issue, Algerian diplomacy recalls that the conflict remains fully on the international agenda, particularly in its chapter of decolonization, while ensuring that Algeria will not fail to provide its support, as a facilitator, to any mediation between the Polisario Front and Morocco, aimed at resolving the conflict which has opposed them for 50 years.
While defending the right to self-determination of the Sahrawi people, Algeria says it is ready to support any mediation initiative consistent with the United Nations framework and the principles of a just, lasting and definitive solution. This was declared Tuesday during a press conference by Ahmed Attaf, Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs, National Community Abroad and African Affairs.
“As a neighboring country of the parties to the conflict, Algeria will support any mediation initiative which respects, in its form and in its content, the principles of a just, lasting and definitive solution, as set out in the relevant Security Council resolutions, including the recent 2797,” said the Minister of State.
He stressed that the Western Sahara file remains on the agenda of the United Nations, the Security Council, the General Assembly and the Special Committee on Decolonization.
According to the head of Algerian diplomacy, resolution 2797 confirms the foundations ensuring a fair and lasting solution, preserving the fundamentals, without altering any element, while consolidating the achievements allowing the Polisario Front to defend its position in accordance with international legality.
Ahmed Attaf recalled that “the Security Council did not decide on the substance of the negotiations nor on their outcome, leaving it to the parties to define the terms of their settlement.” At the heart of the process, he insisted, remains an intangible principle, that of the right to self-determination of the Sahrawi people.
During this conference, the minister also mentioned the situation in Mali. He reaffirmed Algeria’s constant vision, which is based on the question of regional security, which cannot be addressed in isolation or unilaterally, pleading for a united and collective approach, particularly on the African level.
The minister expressed his deep concern about the evolution of the terrorist threat in Mali, which concerns Algeria more than other countries, due to the geographical proximity and the historical and human links between the two peoples.
He recalled that Algeria has always supported Malian national unity and that the current situation in Mali reinforces the relevance of its warnings.
Ahmed Attaf invited the authorities in Bamako to resume inclusive dialogue, affirming that the way out of the crisis can be achieved neither through weapons nor through policies of exclusion. He concluded by emphasizing that Algeria maintains its hand extended to its brothers in Mali, on the basis of its loyalty to its principles, its African solidarity and its vision of lasting stability in the region.
Concerning Niger, “there is no problem between Algeria and this country. On the contrary, what happened was that Burkina Faso and Niger showed solidarity with Mali, and Niger entered into a verbal conflict with Algeria. These are the two countries that chose to deteriorate our relations and decided to recall their ambassadors. Algeria nevertheless remains ready to renew its relations with these sister countries,” he said.
Regarding the Palestinian question, Ahmed Attaf recalled that Algeria’s mandate in the Security Council is coming to an end, but that it ends with a major diplomatic act, namely the vote in favor of a resolution aimed at establishing a ceasefire and protecting Palestinian civilians.
He specified that Algerian support for this text presented by the United States is based on “objective considerations” linked to the humanitarian emergency and the absolute priority of stopping the aggression against the Palestinian people. “This vote is neither a renunciation nor a rupture. It’s an act of responsibility,” he said.
He stressed that the resolution rejects any justification for a resumption of Israeli aggression. It plans the deployment of an international stabilization force in the Gaza Strip, opposes the forced displacement of Palestinians and prepares the lifting of restrictions that hamper humanitarian aid.
The minister highlighted the fact that Algeria managed to introduce a decisive amendment, reaffirming that the only viable political outcome is the creation of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state.
The resolution adopted, he continued, in no way undermines the foundations of a just, lasting and definitive solution. “It recalls, on the contrary, all of the previous Security Council resolutions, which form the legal basis of Palestinian rights,” he said.
Attaf also took stock of the Algerian mandate in the Security Council. He affirmed that he was marked by total loyalty to Algeria’s identity, its history, its Arab, Islamic and African commitments, as well as the values of the UN Charter.
Algeria, he recalled, has tirelessly defended just causes, first and foremost Palestine and Western Sahara, in an approach based on coherence, legitimacy and attachment to international law.
“It is this approach that will continue to guide Algeria in all its diplomatic initiatives, to defend justice, peace and security on the regional and international scenes,” concluded the minister.