TICAD 2024 Conference Consolidates Algerian Diplomatic Setbacks in the Moroccan Sahara Issue

In light of the ongoing tensions between Morocco and Algeria, the TICAD conference emerged as a new platform to highlight Algeria’s diplomatic defeats regarding the Moroccan Sahara issue. The Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) is an initiative launched by Japan in 1993 to promote political dialogue and cooperation between African leaders and their international partners, notably Japan, on development issues in Africa. The conference aims to foster sustainable development on the African continent through multilateral partnerships.

During the recent TICAD summit held in Tokyo, the term “diplomacy of violence” emerged to refer to the use of violence or its threat as a means to achieve diplomatic or political goals. During the summit, an incident sparked widespread controversy when an Algerian diplomat intervened violently to prevent a Moroccan diplomat from removing a sign placed by a representative of the Polisario, who was not invited but infiltrated illegally. This behavior reflects Algeria’s ongoing attempts to unlawfully support the Polisario Front and undermine Morocco’s efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the Moroccan Sahara conflict. In response, Morocco emphasizes the importance of respecting international laws and diplomatic agreements and calls for dialogue and cooperation to achieve stability and development in the region.

According to reports, during the TICAD summit in Tokyo, a representative of the Polisario attempted to display an unrecognized banner, prompting a Moroccan diplomat to intervene and expose the act. An Algerian diplomat, later identified as a security guard at the Algerian embassy, then intervened violently against the Moroccan diplomat. This action drew widespread criticism from Japanese and Arab media, describing it as unethical and barbaric.

Japanese and Arab newspapers covered this topic from different angles. For instance, Japan’s “Asahi Shimbun” focused on the diplomatic tensions between Morocco and Algeria, noting that the Algerian diplomat used unethical violence against the Moroccan diplomat, prompting security intervention to manage the situation. On the other hand, the “Asharq Al-Awsat” newspaper addressed the incident’s impact on bilateral relations between the two countries, affirming that the act reflects a state of disarray within the Algerian regime due to its consecutive diplomatic losses concerning the Moroccan Sahara issue.

Japan reaffirmed its position of not recognizing the Polisario, clarifying that the infiltration by a Polisario representative does not alter its official stance. The incident triggered angry reactions from the Moroccan side, which deemed it a flagrant breach of diplomatic norms. Meanwhile, the Algerian side attempted to justify the act with an unfounded narrative that lacked formal confirmation from Japan, suggesting that Japan proposed including a Polisario delegation within the African committee’s delegation. Morocco, for its part, asserted its commitment to diplomatic norms and respect for international laws, bolstering its position in the international community.

The incident at the recent TICAD summit in Tokyo represents a blatant violation of the diplomatic norms governing inter-state relations. Physical assault on a diplomat is unacceptable, reflecting chaos and disrespect for international laws. This incident is expected to further isolate the Algerian regime. Meanwhile, Morocco continues to strengthen its international stance through calm and constructive diplomacy, elevating its status as a stable and reliable country in the region. Morocco has made significant progress in enhancing its international position regarding the Moroccan Sahara issue, reflecting the success of Moroccan diplomacy in garnering support from many countries and international organizations.

In contrast, the incident reflects a state of confusion and disorder within the Algerian regime, facing substantial challenges both internally and externally. Domestically, the regime is under increasing economic and social pressures, amidst popular demands for reform and change. Externally, it faces diplomatic and regional challenges that complicate the situation. This disorder could lead to additional uncalculated actions that further complicate the situation, placing the regime in a difficult position before the international community.

Traditionally, Algeria has adopted a hostile stance within the African Union, seeking to undermine Morocco’s interests by supporting the separatist Polisario Front. This ongoing fabricated conflict, lasting nearly half a century, aims to divide Morocco to ensure strategic access to the Atlantic Ocean. Since Morocco’s return to the African Union in 2017, the kingdom has undertaken strategic diplomatic efforts with African nations, provoking Algeria’s discontent, which has invested heavily in misleading public opinion and rallying the region against Morocco.

Algeria aims to maintain the so-called “republic of illusion,” a non-internationally recognized entity, as a means to retain influence in the region. Algeria has invested significantly in supporting this entity within the African Union, reflecting its desire to achieve geopolitical goals at the expense of Morocco’s territorial integrity. Algeria invests vast sums in supporting the Polisario Front, whether through direct funding or political and diplomatic backing. This support underscores Algeria’s anti-Moroccan stance, evident in international and regional forums. Algeria seeks to influence regional relations through its backing of the Polisario, complicating relations between regional states. This support contributes to regional instability and affects regional cooperation and economic development.

In parallel, Morocco continues to intensify efforts to strengthen its relations with African nations through a series of ambitious developmental, commercial, and economic projects. These initiatives aim to improve the living standards of African peoples and enhance South-South cooperation, reflecting Morocco’s strategic vision for regional integration. These Moroccan efforts have been widely welcomed and increasingly supported by African countries, weakening Algeria’s stance and significantly boosting Morocco’s territorial unity.

Recently, there have been significant developments regarding the expulsion of the Polisario Front from the African Union. Several African countries have increased calls for the expulsion of the Polisario from the Union. For example, during the “MEDays” international forum, diplomats from five African countries joined the “Tangier Call” advocating for the Polisario’s expulsion from the Union.

Furthermore, the African Union decided not to allow the Polisario to participate in major international forums held between the continental organization and countries such as China, the United States, Russia, and Japan. This decision reflects a shift in African policy towards the Polisario, bolstering Morocco’s position in this conflict. Despite not having explicit provisions for expelling a member entity in the African Union charter, increasing pressure from member states could lead to a broader interpretation of Article 23 of the Constitutive Act or even amending the charter to include clear expulsion provisions.

With growing international support for Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara, the decades-long conflict appears to be nearing its end. France’s recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara in July 2024 was a decisive step towards resolving the prolonged conflict, strengthening Morocco’s position on the international stage. The recent report from the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) indicated that the dispute over the Moroccan Sahara is nearing its conclusion, with increasing international support for Morocco’s sovereignty over the region. The report highlighted that France’s recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara in July 2024 was a decisive step for conflict resolution, enhancing Morocco’s international stature. It explained that the international community, including the United States and many European and Arab countries, supports Morocco’s proposed autonomy plan as a just and lasting solution to the conflict. It also noted that Algeria, which supports the Polisario Front, must negotiate for peace, enhancing opportunities for a final and sustainable solution.

Amidst the ongoing crisis, the Algerian regime faces significant challenges to maintain its internal stability. The question remains about the impact of this incident, reflecting the decline of Algerian diplomacy, on the regime’s future, particularly regarding its viability and continuity. The Algerian regime heavily relies on the Moroccan Sahara issue to rally popular support.

However, resolving this issue could inevitably ignite a new popular movement, given its lost capacity to unify the Algerian people. Citizens feel frustration over the billions of dollars the regime squandered on a failed issue, now a burden on the regime and affecting daily livelihoods. Additionally, they experience shame and disgrace under this corrupt regime ruling with an iron fist. Beyond empty slogans and false military propaganda, citizens see a reality not indicative of a resource-rich country but of a struggling state in need of aid.

This situation might revert the country to the 1990s and another dark decade similar to the one initiated by generals and security services to protect their interests and control national wealth, as detailed in the book “The Dirty War” by former Algerian army officer Habib Souaidia, which exposes the involvement of security and intelligence services in massacres costing a quarter of a million Algerian lives for political gains. Under these challenges, the Algerian regime’s future remains uncertain, especially with a growing public awareness for the need for change and reform.

In conclusion, Japan reaffirmed its steadfast position of not recognizing the so-called “Sahrawi Republic,” emphasizing that the Polisario representative’s infiltration into the preparatory meeting for the TICAD summit changes nothing of this stance. Japan’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Yoichi Fukasawa, confirmed that Japan does not recognize this entity as a state, and its presence at the conference does not influence Japan’s established position. After Japan’s reaffirmation of its position before the world, one is reminded of the immortal words of the Green March architect, King Hassan II, who said, “We do not want the world to recognize the Moroccanity of the Sahara, for we are in our Sahara, but we want the world to know who the neighbors are that God has placed beside us.” May King Hassan II rest in peace; indeed, the world now truly understands who our neighbors are.