Amar Belani serves as the special envoy of the Presidency of Algeria to the Western Sahara and the Maghreb region. In recent remarks, Algeria has pressed Spain to offer clear explanations as a prerequisite for rebuilding a trust that has been severely strained. The Algerian focus is on supporting a political pathway that could align with Morocco’s autonomy proposal while maintaining Algeria’s own strategic and regional interests in the Western Sahara question.
Said Musi, the Algerian ambassador in Madrid, is expected to return under a decision that will come from Algerian authorities. Belani stressed to the national news agency APS that any such move will be rooted in publicly stated principles and the need to restore confidence that has been damaged over time. The aim is to ensure that diplomatic channels reflect a stable and predictable framework rather than ad hoc gestures.
As of March 19, the Algerian ambassador in Madrid remained absent, and Belani noted that speculation about a quick revival of ties does not reflect the realities on the ground. He underscored that patience and a clear, concrete plan would be essential to reestablish trust, emphasizing that hasty or populist rhetoric would not advance the long-term interests of either country or the broader region.
Spain has underscored its strategic partnership with Algeria, particularly in the energy sector, where Algerian gas plays a significant role in the Spanish energy mix. The two countries share concerns over regional stability and the implications of evolving positions on Western Sahara. In this context, Spain views its partnership with Algeria as a cornerstone for diversified energy security and mutual economic interests in the broader Maghreb-East Atlantic corridor.
Belani commented on the public remarks attributed to Spain’s Prime Minister, highlighting that the stated position on Western Sahara should be considered in light of all relevant UN Security Council resolutions. He suggested that some of Spain’s recent declarations appeared to diverge from a historically balanced stance, prompting questions about the moral and legal responsibilities involved as established by international law and long-standing diplomatic practice.
In Belani’s view, the phrasing of certain statements reflected a desire to avoid heavy personal accountability for a surprising shift in policy. He argued that it is important for all parties to remain consistent with previous commitments and to communicate with clarity so that lines of dialogue do not become muddled by sudden changes or unilateral moves that could destabilize the regional equilibrium.
Meanwhile, the Saharawi independence movement, Frente Polisario, chose to suspend contacts with Russia in mid-April, a move that coincided with Spain’s alignment with Madrid’s leadership’s stance on Western Sahara. According to Spanish authorities, this development followed Spain’s support for a plan that the Moroccan side regards as a vehicle for resolving the status of Western Sahara through autonomy within Moroccan sovereignty.
From Madrid’s perspective, the 2007 autonomy framework proposed by Morocco is being presented as a practical and credible basis for negotiation aimed at a final political settlement. Critics in Algeria and among Sahrawi supporters argue that such a proposal could undermine the right to self-determination, while supporters assert that it offers a feasible path to stability, economic development, and regional cooperation if implemented with strong safeguards and international oversight.
During talks in Rabat on April 7, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez reiterated Spain’s endorsement of the autonomy framework as a cornerstone of the search for a peaceful and durable resolution. The meeting with King Mohammed VI emphasized commitments to regional dialogue, adherence to United Nations resolutions, and the importance of maintaining a balanced and constructive approach that can garner broad international acceptance while addressing the concerns of all stakeholders, including the Sahrawi people and their representatives.