Tension brews between Russia and Algeria over regional issues

The most recent showdown at the UN Security Council between Russia and non-permanent member Algeria is indicative of an intensifying friction over much broader regional issues, where the two countries lie at the antipodes.

Boxing Row

At the Security Council meeting on women peace and security, Russia’s representative brought the row over the gender identity of Imane Khelif, who is competing at the Paris Olympics as a woman despite the International Boxing Association banning her from competing due to presence of XY chromosomes.

The Russian representative used Imane’s participation in the Paris Olympics to accuse Western countries of using the games to advance an LGBT agenda that he said “was damaging women’s rights and dignity.”

“At the Olympic Games in Paris female boxers are being publicly subjected to violence (by) athletes who had previously failed hormonal tests done by the International Boxing Federation and, according to the federation and according to common sense, are men,” he said

The remarks laid bare Algerian regime propaganda which has accused Morocco and Israel of trying to put an end to Khelif’s boxing career.

In response to Russia, Algerian deputy representative Toufik Koudri said Khelif was born a female, telling the council that “There isn’t a shred of doubt on that matter, except for those who have [a] vague political agenda.”

Political context

The showdown between Russia and Algeria at the security council reflects serious disagreements between the two countries on regional issues.

It came after Algeria’s involvement in providing air cover to Tuareg rebels during the battle of Tinzaouatine, earlier this month, where the Malian army, backed by Russia’s Wagner, lost dozens of fighters.

Russia is backing Mali, a country that accuses Algeria of exporting terrorism and meddling in its domestic affairs.

Niger, another ally of Moscow, has also accused Algeria of mistreating African migrants and dumping them in inhumane conditions in the desert.

As Russia strengthens its foothold in the Sahel, Algeria is losing ground.

In Libya, Russia backs Haftar whom Algeria considers an enemy with President Tebboune going as far as threatening to intervene militarily to prevent him from taking Tripoli.

The diverging alliances of Algeria and Russia in the Sahel vindicate the idea that Moscow views Algeria as a client rather than an ally.

Russia has made this clear when it refused Algeria’s bid to join the BRICS, admitting Egypt and Ethiopia instead.