Algeria from self-isolation to marginalization in Arab league

After ensuing a series of self-inflicted diplomatic blows, the new Algeria continues to punch above its weight in denial of a reality wherein its voice is no longer audible including within the Arab League.

Algeria has failed to join the BRICS, cut ties with Morocco, is mired in a diplomatic crisis with France, has alienated Spain, worsened ties with Libya, and sowed tension with its southern neighbors, while Russia- its main arms supplier- is taking its distance. Against this backdrop, the Arab World has reduced Algeria to its size.

In this context came the boycott by President Abdelemdjid Tebboune of an Arab summit in which he was not invited in the first place.

Reflecting the state of marginalization Algeria suffers within the Arab World, Tebboune said that his country was not consulted in preparation of the extraordinary summit on Palestine that was held in Cairo on March 4.

The summit urged a ceasefire, reiterated commitment to a two-state solution, and agreed to set up a five-year reconstruction plan for Gaza.

Algeria seems to have lost all credibility in the eyes of its Arab peers due to its self-serving approach to the Palestinian cause, its violation of the Arab League charter by backing separatism and its shameful stands in support of Bashar brutality.

Palestine

The Arab League’s influential members have not consulted Algeria because they are aware that it has nothing to offer as far as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is concerned. That is primarily because Algeria uses the Palestinian cause for self-regarding purposes of domestic mobilization and rhetorical fanfare.

Algeria was one of the few countries in the region that banned pro-Palestinian protests. It also banned summer festivals fearing they may transform into gatherings in support of Gaza.

Meanwhile, Algeria indulged in an official discourse that used the Palestinian issue for domestic political legitimization purposes. Tebboune has often referred to Israel in his domestic speeches as the Zionist entity and demanded the liberation of Palestine “from the sea to the sea.”

Many Arab leaders, including Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, have snubbed the ceremonial Arab summit in Algiers in April 2023 in which Tebboune failed to ensure the return of Syria’s Bashar Assad.

The summit featured a ceremonial picture between Hamas leaders and Fatah, marketed by Algeria as a “historic” reconciliation with no impact on the state of affairs between the Palestinian rivals.

Syria

Algeria’s stands in support of Bashar Assad are still vivid. As Bashar Assad was preparing his escape to Russia, Algeria was one of the few states that stood behind him in the face of the offensive of the HTS whose leader is now attending the Arab League.

Former HTS chief Ahmed Charaa, who is now the president of Syria, thanked all Arab countries that supported the Syrian people in its journey to emancipation from the brutal rule of Assad’s family.

Morocco

In its relations with Morocco, Algeria is in a blatant violation of the Arab League’s charter, which promotes the freedom of movement and emphasizes respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty of member states.

Algeria has violated the Charter’s most important values in engaging in a series of measures from keeping borders closed, cutting diplomatic ties, banning Moroccan flights from crossing its airspace, stopping the flow of gas.

As far as territorial integrity is concerned, Algeria has been hosting, arming and offering its territory as a rear base for the Polisario militias in pursuit of a separatist chimera in southern Morocco. More recently, Algeria doubled down, hosting a group of individuals calling for the separation of Rif from its homeland in an act that accounts for a casus belli.

The opening of the new headquarters was relayed by Algeria’s propaganda outlets, showing a newly created party that has no presence, support or influence in the very Rif region it claims to represent.

If the Arab League was serious in implementing its Charter it has to start by freezing Algeria’s membership, until its leaders stop warmongering against Morocco.