US Ambassador to Algeria reaffirms Washington's position on Western Sahara

Before ending her mission as US Ambassador to Algeria, Elizabeth Moore Aubin gave an interview to the Algerian media La Patrie to discuss regional issues such as the question of the Sahara, relations with Morocco and the war between Israel and Hamas.  

Regarding Western Sahara, the US diplomat reaffirmed Washington's position on this issue, describing the recognition of Morocco's recognition of the Sahara as an "irreversible and historic" fact. 

For this reason, current President Joe Biden has not adopted a different position, although, according to Aubin, the current administration has developed a different approach. "The United States now supports the UN-led efforts of the Secretary-General and his envoy to find a lasting solution" to the conflict, she said, recalling that these efforts led to the appointment of Staffan de Mistura as the new UN envoy in 2021.  

Although negotiations have not resumed since 2019, Washington continues to consider the Moroccan autonomy plan as a viable solution, a position it has held since 2008, according to Aubin. "The solution we want is one that meets the needs of the Sahrawi people," she added.   

These comments will not meet with the approval of Polisario supporters, most notably Algeria, which has been pushing for years against Morocco's territorial integrity in Western Sahara. 

Algeria hosts, finances, arms and supports the Polisario Front, a separatist group that claims independence for Western Sahara in order to undermine Morocco's territorial integrity and sovereignty over its southern provinces. 

Regarding the normalisation of relations between Morocco and Israel, Ambassador Aubin downplayed concerns about tensions with Algeria. "There are many issues that generate tensions," she said, stressing Algeria's right to make its own decisions. However, she does not see Israel as a threat to Algeria. "I don't think that the relationship between Morocco and Israel has caused tensions in North Africa," Aubin said.  

The diplomat concluded the interview by expressing hope for dialogue between Algeria and Morocco. "I believe that Algerians and Moroccans, as neighbours, friends and sometimes families, can find solutions if they sit down and talk," she said. 

In this regard, and with respect to Morocco, Aubin stressed the importance of the ties between the United States and Algeria, noting that the two countries have worked to build deeper and stronger relations.  

"The United States is a friend of Algeria and Morocco. We hope that one day Algeria and Morocco will be friends," she added. "There is no intention on the part of the United States to provoke a conflict between the two countries," Aubin clarified after being asked about Morocco's acquisition of US military equipment, including Javelin missiles and HIMARS multiple launch rocket systems.  

Finally, Aubin stressed that what she will remember most about her time in Algiers will be "the friendliness, the hospitality, the generosity", encouraging her successor to "go out, meet Algerians, discover the country and understand who Algerians really are".