Foreign Minister Attaf Rejects Western Sahara Refugee Framing

Algeria's Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf recently reaffirmed the nation's unwavering commitment to the decolonization process in Western Sahara and the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination. Speaking during the celebration of Algerian Diplomacy Day, which marked Algeria's accession to the United Nations, Minister Attaf dedicated a significant portion of his address to outlining Algeria's principled stance. He expressed strong disapproval of attempts to reduce the Western Sahara issue to merely a refugee problem, emphasizing its fundamental nature as an unfinished decolonization matter.

The Minister underscored that Algeria's position is firmly rooted in international legitimacy, the United Nations Charter, and the inalienable and imprescriptible right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination. He explicitly cautioned against any efforts to circumvent these established international principles, to disregard the right to self-determination, or to legitimize a "fait accompli" in the territory. Minister Attaf also addressed discourse from international delegates, including a specific response to the US delegate, that focused on the refugee situation in Tindouf, stressing that such approaches divert from the core issue of decolonization.

Algeria's engagement in the political process for Western Sahara aims to contribute to a permanent and just political solution. Minister Attaf highlighted that UN Security Council Resolution 2797 has opened the path for a political process, facilitating direct negotiations between Morocco and the Polisario Front, and allowing both parties to propose their visions for a final settlement. He stressed that any sought-after solution must be mutually acceptable, based on consensus rather than imposition, and that a just resolution would not only bring equity to the Sahrawi people but also foster new prospects for security, stability, and deeper regional integration across the Maghreb.