Algeria Refuses to Participate in Western Sahara Negotiations

On Wednesday, Algeria announced its rejection of participating in any negotiations on the status of Western Sahara, as it is not a party to the conflict.

Special Envoy in charge of Western Sahara and Maghreb countries Amar Belani described Morocco's statements regarding the Saharawi region of Guerguerat as frivolous and irresponsible, calling on the United Nations Security Council to assume its political and moral responsibilities in order to guarantee the inalienable right of the Sahrawi people to Self-determination.

In statements to the Algerian news agency, the diplomat indicated that the Algerian leadership was present in previous negotiations to resolve the disputed territories. But Rabat presented the neighboring country as a party to the armed conflict, although all Security Council resolutions indicate that the participants in the conflict are Morocco and the Polisario Front.

The crisis of Western Sahara is the most important problem on the political arena of the Maghreb countries in particular. It is one of the main reasons for the tense Moroccan-Algerian relations.

The Polisario Front, backed by Algeria, is seeking independence for Western Sahara, a vast desert region that Morocco has controlled since Spain withdrew in 1975.