Algeria has expressed regret over the United Kingdom’s decision to endorse Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara, reversing a long-standing policy.
In a statement issued Sunday, Algeria’s foreign ministry condemned the shift, saying it undermines decades of international support for Sahrawi self-determination.
“Algeria regrets the choice made by the United Kingdom to support the Moroccan autonomy plan,” the statement read, underscoring deep diplomatic disapproval.
The ministry noted that in its 18-year history, Morocco’s plan has never been presented to the Sahrawi people as a legitimate negotiation basis.
Algeria further claimed the autonomy proposal has consistently failed to gain traction with United Nations envoys assigned to mediate the conflict.
The UK’s backing marks a significant departure from previous positions, aligning London more closely with Rabat’s claims over the contested region.
Western Sahara remains one of Africa’s longest-running territorial disputes, with Morocco and the Algeria-backed Polisario Front vying for control.
The UN considers Western Sahara a “non-self-governing territory,” advocating a negotiated settlement that respects the Sahrawi people’s right to choose.
Critics argue Britain’s endorsement could embolden Morocco while weakening international efforts to secure a fair and lasting resolution.
Algeria, a staunch supporter of Sahrawi independence, has frequently warned against unilateral moves that sideline multilateral diplomacy.
The development adds strain to already complex regional dynamics and could influence broader geopolitical alignments across North Africa.
As tensions simmer, the fate of Western Sahara remains caught between competing sovereignties and shifting foreign allegiances.