Algeria and Tunisia’s Diplomatic Isolation: A Warning to Arab…

Algeria and Tunisia’s decision to skip the Arab Summit in Cairo reveals their growing isolation and anti-Morocco sentiments. President Tebboune criticized the summit’s lack of coordination over the Palestinian issue. Algeria’s support for separatists in Western Sahara, coupled with its recent calls for ties with Israel, further undermines its credibility. The Arab League continues to support Morocco’s territorial integrity, highlighting Algeria’s diminished role in regional diplomacy.

The decision by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and Tunisian President Kais Saied to skip the emergency Arab Summit in Cairo on March 4 exemplifies their growing isolation within the Arab world and their anti-Morocco stance. Tebboune cited perceived irregularities in the summit’s preparatory process, claiming a lack of coordination among Arab states regarding the Palestinian cause. Algeria’s protest illustrates a desperate desire for greater inclusion in Arab dialogue while revealing its discontent with current dynamics in the region.

In response to his absence, Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf represented Algeria, while Tunisia’s President Saied assigned his foreign minister, Mohamed Ali Nafti. Tunisia echoed its support for Palestinian rights during the summit. This decision reflects Tunisia’s alignment with Algeria’s stance, but also highlights its cautious balance among Arab states regarding issues of mutual concern.

Tebboune previously celebrated Algeria hosting the Arab Summit in 2022, yet that summit yielded little for the Palestinian cause and was marred by boycotts of key Arab leaders. His tenure as president of the Arab League was short, further emphasizing Algeria’s isolation from broader Arab initiatives designed to address the region’s challenges.

Algeria’s motivations are called into question when analyzed alongside its support for the Iranian-led axis of resistance, reflecting an agenda that contradicts broader Arab consensus. The decision to withdraw from the Cairo summit demonstrates how Algeria feels sidelined by meetings that include Morocco, indicating a shift in the regional balance of power that Algeria is struggling to adapt to.

Furthermore, criticisms have emerged on social media questioning Algeria’s exclusion from the preparatory discussions. Observers noted that Algeria’s justifications for boycotting the summit may stem from its refusal to accept the established positions of Arab nations, which undermine its narrative of solidarity regarding the Palestinian cause.

The hypocrisy of Algeria’s commitment to the Palestinian cause becomes more apparent when considering its long-term support for the Polisario Front in Western Sahara, undermining Morocco’s territorial integrity while publicly advocating for Arab unity. This duplicity reveals the contradictions inherent in Algeria’s foreign policy between maintaining its regional ambitions and addressing its isolation.

Recently, Tebboune’s sudden expression of willingness to normalize relations with Israel if a Palestinian state is established contradicts his previous condemnation of Morocco for its ties with Israel. This shift in rhetoric seems designed to realign Algeria’s position while masking his administration’s prior anti-Israeli stance.

As Algeria navigates its complex relations and attempted regional alliances, its exclusion from initiatives such as the Maghreb Union becomes evident, particularly in meetings that exclude Morocco. This strategy points to Algeria’s ongoing attempts to reposition itself within North Africa while grappling with its diminishing diplomatic influence among regional partners.

Despite Algeria’s attempts to destabilize Morocco’s standing, the Arab League has reiterated its support for Morocco’s territorial sovereignty. Algeria’s external rhetoric does not align with its internal political actions, which continue to hinder its credibility in pursuing cooperative Arab initiatives. As regional leaders focus on shared priorities, Algeria’s persistent isolation underscores the challenges it faces in securing a prominent diplomatic role.

In conclusion, the ongoing diplomatic isolation of Algeria and Tunisia highlights their ineffective strategies and contradictory policies concerning Palestine and Morocco. Their boycott of the emergency summit in Cairo exposes their attempts to mask deeper issues relating to their geopolitical standing in the Arab world. As regional dynamics evolve, the steadfast support of the Arab League for Morocco further marginalizes Algeria’s ambitions, suggesting a prolonged struggle for influence amidst changing alliances.

Original Source: www.moroccoworldnews.com