Algerian President Warns Macron on Western Sahara and Sets Condition for Israel Normalization
In a candid interview, President Tebboune warns France against recognizing Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara and reaffirms Algeria's conditions for normalizing ties with Israel.
Watan-Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune gave an interview to the French newspaper L’Opinion, in which he addressed the strained relations with France and various current national and international issues.
In the interview, President Tebboune warned French President Emmanuel Macron that he would be making a “grave mistake” regarding the Western Sahara issue, referring to France’s practical recognition of Morocco’s claim over Western Sahara. This follows Macron’s speech to the Moroccan parliament, where he endorsed Morocco’s proposal to grant autonomy to the disputed Western Sahara under Moroccan sovereignty.
On another topic, President Tebboune stated that Algeria would be ready to normalize relations with Israel on the same day that a fully sovereign Palestinian state is established.
He also emphasized, “I have no intention of staying in power and will respect the Algerian constitution,” which limits the president to two five-year terms. President Tebboune, who is approaching eighty years of age (born in November 1945), was re-elected for a second term in 2024.
The president condemned the “harmful climate” between Algeria and France, stressing the need for the two countries to resume dialogue when President Macron clearly expresses a desire to do so. He noted, “The climate is harmful. We are wasting time with President Macron,” indicating his wish to avoid an “irreparable separation.”
He added, “Nothing is progressing except for trade relations. Political dialogue is almost cut off,” expressing regret over “hostile statements made daily” by French officials.
The historically turbulent relations between France and Algeria have been experiencing a major diplomatic crisis since Paris adopted Morocco’s proposal to grant autonomy to the disputed Western Sahara under Moroccan sovereignty.
The Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony classified by the United Nations as a “non-self-governing territory,” has been the subject of a dispute between Morocco and the Algeria-backed Polisario Front for nearly half a century.
Regarding the deterioration of relations, President Tebboune said he “fully agrees” on the need to resume dialogue, a point previously mentioned by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot.
However, he pointed out the necessity of strong political statements in this direction, emphasizing the importance of “hearing the voices of the French president, intellectuals, and supporters of the relationship.”
He continued, “It is not up to me to do this. For me, the French Republic is primarily its president,” without providing further details.
When asked about the Algerian writer Boualem Sansal (who obtained French citizenship only a few months ago) and has been detained in Algeria since mid-November, President Tebboune considered that “this is not an Algerian problem. It is a problem for those who created it… Other cases of dual nationals did not attract such solidarity.”
He viewed the case as “aimed at mobilizing against Algeria.”
The writer, who was granted French citizenship months ago, has not benefited from a French consular visit because he is “primarily Algerian,” according to President Tebboune.
The Algerian president noted that the writer “is receiving care from doctors and will be tried within the legal timeframes. He can regularly contact his wife and daughter by phone.”
