Algeria moves to restore Spain ties with ambassador plan and renewed dialogue

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Algeria has initiated a step toward restoring diplomatic ties with Spain by agreeing to appoint an ambassador to Madrid once again. This move comes nineteen months after Algeria withdrew its previous envoy in response to Spain’s support for Morocco in Madrid’s approach to Western Sahara, a dispute Algeria has long viewed as central to its regional stance. Algeria and Morocco have been rivals, with Algeria backing the Polisario Front, which opposes Rabat’s plans for Western Sahara’s autonomy, adding depth to the political context of this renewed dialogue.

The leadership of Abdelmadjid Tebboune sought Spain’s approval for the appointment, with Abdelfetah Daghmoum identified as the prospective head of Algeria’s next delegation to Spain. If confirmed, Daghmoum would replace the former ambassador who had held the post longer ago. The decision follows behind-the-scenes exchanges triggered by a letter to Mohammed that argued the Moroccan autonomy proposal remains the most credible and realistic framework for resolving the Sahara conflict, a stance that was reported by El Confidencial. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not publicly confirmed the development, and contact attempts to the Algerian Embassy did not elicit a response. Diplomats note that the accepting country is typically the one that must approve such a move, and there is no set deadline for a reply.

Location in Gaza

There has been no direct statement explaining why the Algerian government has now chosen to resume diplomatic relations. A long period of relative quiet has followed Tebboune’s June 2022 decision to suspend the Treaty of Friendship and to curtail some trade with Spain.

Experts weigh in on the issue. Yahia H. Zoubir, a scholar on North African affairs, has observed that Spain’s stance on Israel and Palestine is broadly welcomed in Algeria, a contrast to attitudes in some other European capitals. The Palestinian question remains a domestic political concern in Algeria, and analysts note that Spain’s position has implications well beyond immediate diplomatic headlines. Zoubir is a senior fellow at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs in Doha and has affiliations with institutions in Shanghai and other centers of higher learning.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez did not visit Benjamin Netanyahu following the Hamas attacks in October, a departure from the approach of some peers such as Germany, the United Kingdom, and France. In parallel, Spain has aligned with broader European and United Nations positions that condemn Hamas while urging restraint and adherence to international law.

Addressing the UN and Beyond

In discussions at the United Nations, Sánchez has argued for a political solution that is acceptable to all parties within the framework of the UN Charter and Security Council directives. Observers note that the tone of his UN remarks has shifted toward a more balanced stance compared with two years earlier, while avoiding explicit references to the shift in Spain’s posture toward the Rabat position. Reports from the UN platform indicate there were discussions in New York in September about a gradual return to more normal relations between Algeria and Spain, with diplomats suggesting a possible agreement on the pathway forward. These reports come from multiple outlets including Tout sur l’Algérie and other regional media cited by European agencies.

The UN Security Council recently extended MINURSO’s mandate for another year in late October, a move that keeps international oversight of Western Sahara in focus. MINURSO’s mission, led by a special envoy, has seen recent travel to Morocco, Algeria, and the region around Western Sahara as well as to refugee camps in Tindouf, where the Polisario Front has a strong presence. The evolving diplomatic climate occurs just days before Sánchez’s expected formal continuation in office, a period that could influence further bilateral steps with Algeria.

Trade and Economic Repercussions

The diplomatic rift over Western Sahara significantly affected bilateral commerce, driving trade to historic lows and delivering a heavy hit to the Spanish economy and to many of its exporters with Algeria as a major market. In June 2022, Algeria froze payments for certain Spanish imports tied to the Western Sahara dispute, triggering a trade fallout that slashed Spanish exports to Algeria by a substantial margin within a year. By mid-2023, Spain’s exports to Algeria stood markedly below the high figures recorded in earlier years, as reported by Spain’s Ministry of Commerce. The downturn translated into a loss of roughly 1.6 billion euros in annual sales to the Maghreb neighbor at the height of the dispute, a number reflecting the tightrope walked by both sides as they reevaluate their commercial relationship.

In the wake of the tensions, certain Spanish companies began organizing collectively to assert their interests, while the government explored a compensatory aid package with Brussels’ approval. Details regarding the amount or the duration of this support, and how it would be administered, were not disclosed at the time. Analysts suggest that the economic pressure helped shape Sánchez’s more flexible approach, especially after observing similar moves by other European governments with Algerian ties. Industry observers stress that the pace at which trade reestablishes itself will depend on how quickly both sides can restore confidence and smooth out regulatory frictions.

Looking ahead, the trajectory of Spain-Algeria trade will unfold against a backdrop of evolving flight schedules and connectivity. As of late autumn, direct and charter operations to and from Madrid and Algiers were being reconsidered, with routes and frequencies adapting to the renewed political weather. The broader question remains how swiftly bilateral ties will normalize and what additional commercial arrangements will accompany any political rapprochement. The coming months are expected to reveal how quickly the two economies can reengage and rebuild trust across sectors that once connected them closely.

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