Algeria’s inconsistent diplomacy warns US of growing Chinese, Russian influence in Africa

After failing to join the BRICS and after its president described Putin as “friend of humanity” and after vowing to replace the dollar, Algeria is now making an act of repentance, offering to help the US counter Russian and Chinese influence in Africa.

This came in an interview on Defense Scoop with Algeria’s ambassador to Washington Sabri Boukadoum.

“The sky is the limit” he said in a comment to a vague defense MoU signed between Algeria and the US on January 22.

Boukadoum said Algeria looks forward to acquiring US arms and is willing to cooperate on intelligence and counterterrorism.

“The ambassador suggested influence, engagement and investments from Russia and China are palpably extending across the region,” Defensescoop said.

He also said Algeria is “ready to talk” about its rare metals and offered to host US data centers.

The interview shows the scale of inconsistency of an isolated Algeria that has doubled down on blunders that made it lose to both Russia, the BRICS and the West. Not to mention its tense ties with almost all neighbors except its vassal Tunisia.

Getting closer to Trump means that structural changes need to take place in the Algerian foreign policy. These include giving up support for the Polisario, stopping cooperation with Iran, and above all establishing normal ties with Israel.