In a significant diplomatic move, Algeria announced the lifting of economic sanctions on Spain, imposed in response to Spain’s backing of Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara. The decision, which took place on November 6, followed a directive from the Bank of Algeria instructing Algerian financial institutions to remove the trade restrictions that had been in place since June 2022.
However, the decision to ease sanctions on Spain was quickly followed by new measures against France, a move that has raised eyebrows. According to the Spanish newspaper *El Confidencial*, Algeria imposed similar economic sanctions on France almost immediately after lifting the restrictions on Spain. This shift in policy came in response to France’s continued support for Morocco’s stance on Western Sahara, further complicating Algeria’s diplomatic position.
The timing of these actions is notable, coinciding with a recent visit by French President Emmanuel Macron to Morocco, where he reiterated France’s commitment to Morocco’s territorial integrity. During his speech, Macron reaffirmed that the future of Western Sahara must remain under Moroccan sovereignty, framing the 2007 autonomy proposal as the sole basis for a fair and sustainable political solution. This development highlights Algeria’s dilemma in balancing its responses to various international actors supporting Morocco’s position.
07/11/2024
