Algeria: U.S. hardens its position on regional stability & security

The American complacency with the authoritarian Algerian regime is over. Time has come for U.S. engagement and deterrence to prevent the Algerian warmongers (de facto rulers) from destabilizing North Africa and Morocco, a major non-NATO Ally of the United States in the region.

With tension soaring and emerging reports of Algerian plans of escalating the dispute with Morocco into a war, a flurry of diplomatic contacts have been engaged by Washington with Algiers, warning Algerian Generals against engaging in a suicidal military adventure.

On Sunday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken had a telephone conversation with Algerian foreign minister Ahmed Attaf. They discussed the war in Gaza, the situation in Lebanon, the hostages, and the Sahara issue.

Blinken has reiterated Washington’s support for UNSG Personal Envoy Staffan de Mistura as he intensifies efforts to advance UN negotiations leading to a mutually “acceptable political solution” for the Sahara issue, without further delay, said a press release issued by State Department.

The same day, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya started a working visit to Algeria for talks on “stability, “security”, and prosperity in “North Africa and the Sahel”.

She will also discuss with Algerian officials the issues of “fundamental freedoms, including of religion or belief and expression; safe, orderly, and humane migration management; and cooperative efforts to address trafficking in persons and advance counter-narcotics cooperation throughout the region”, said a State Department statement.

Under Secretary Zeya will be joined by Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs Assistant Secretary Barbara Leaf, showing the importance of the mission. She will raise with Algerian officials the issues of human rights, religious freedoms, freedom of expression, migration management and cross-border trafficking. The Algerian authorities will certainly be uncomfortable as the Americans will turn up the heat during their talks and meetings.

At UN Security Council, Algeria, a non-permanent member, wanted to include human rights monitoring in the MINURSO mandate, but its politically–motivated proposal was rejected by two veto power holders, the United States, penholder of resolutions on Sahara, and France.

Now, Washington sent envoys to Algiers to discuss the deteriorating human rights and the restrictions imposed on religious freedom and freedom of expression.

This demonstrates a shift in U.S. engagement which comes following the tough words sent by King Mohammed VI to the delusional Algerian rulers, the return of Donald Trump to U.S. presidency, and the nomination of Marco Rubio Secretary State.

The nightmare scenario for the Algerian regime has become a reality with the return of Trump who had recognized the Moroccanness of the Sahara in 2020 and the appointment of an advocate of sanctions against Algiers Head of U.S. diplomacy.
Faced with a perfect storm with cascading crises, including growing social uproar, increasing international isolation, and the prospect of an aggressive U.S. foreign policy, the Algerian regime becomes disoriented and cornered, falling into its own traps.

The Blinken-Attaf talks and the visit of U.S. Under Secretary Uzra Zeya and Assistant Secretary Barbara Leaf may be seen a prelude to the storm which is gathering strength over the heads of Algerians battered by political inertia and reeling under clans’ internal fights, the regime’s failures & contradictions, an unpopular and uncharismatic president, and a deep economic crisis fueling popular discontent.

It is clear that the Trump transition team heralds a paradigm shift in relations with Algiers. The days of U.S. disengagement and complacency towards the provocative and destabilizing actions of the Algerian junta are over. A new era is dawning and the Algerian rulers will be held accountable for their regional destabilization schemes. They will also bear the consequences of meddling in their neighbors’ domestic affairs.