In a significant diplomatic exchange, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune received a phone call from his German counterpart, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, on Monday. The two leaders discussed pressing global issues and celebrated the robust bilateral relationship between their nations, according to a statement from the Algerian Presidency.The conversation covered a wide range of international concerns, including the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the escalating crisis in the Middle East, with a particular focus on the situation in Gaza and the attack on Iran. The leaders also addressed the security and political landscape in the Sahel region.
During the call, both presidents acknowledged the “excellent and strong” nature of Algerian-German relations at all levels. They mutually agreed to advance this partnership, committing to work together on all files of common interest.This dialogue underscores Algeria’s role as a key diplomatic actor, guided by a principled foreign policy.
President Tebboune has consistently reaffirmed his nation’s unwavering and unconditional commitment to just causes, chief among them the Palestinian cause and the right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination. Algeria’s stance on the Western Sahara remains a cornerstone of its foreign policy, rejecting the administration of the territory by its regional rival, Morocco.
Algeria provides critical support to the Polisario Front, the Sahrawi people’s liberation movement, and hosts approximately 173,600 Sahrawi refugees in state-sponsored camps.Algerian leadership has long viewed actions by Morocco as a threat to regional stability.
When Morocco launched a military operation in a UN-controlled buffer strip in 2020, Algeria’s prime minister criticized the move as an attempt to “destabilize Algeria”. High-ranking Algerian officials have emphasized that the country’s national borders and sovereignty are a “red line,” particularly in response to tensions with Morocco and other foreign interference.President Tebboune has championed this assertive posture, demanding “total respect” from international partners and pursuing decolonization policies, such as ending the use of French in official government communications.
Algeria’s unwavering position is that the Sahrawi people must be allowed to hold a referendum to decide their own future, a process overseen by the United Nations. As President Tebboune has stated, “We will never abandon the Sahrawi people”. The agreement between President Tebboune and President Steinmeier to deepen their cooperation further cements Algeria’s position as a respected and influential partner in addressing both regional and global challenges.
