ALGIERS – Algeria criticised the US yesterday after Washington reaffirmed its support for Morocco’s stance on the disputed Western Sahara, a territory largely controlled by Rabat, but claimed for decades by the Algiers-backed Polisario Front.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, meeting his Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita Tuesday, “reiterated that the United States recognises Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara and supports Morocco’s serious, credible and realistic autonomy proposal as the only basis for a just and lasting solution to the dispute,” the State Department spokeswoman said.

An Algerian foreign ministry statement expressed disappointment with Washington’s “confirmation of this position by a permanent member of the Security Council from whom it is normally expected to demonstrate respect for international legality in general, and for (UN) Security Council resolutions in particular”.

The United Nations considers Western Sahara to be a “non-self-governing territory,” and has had a peacekeeping mission there since 1991, whose stated aim is to organise a referendum on the territory’s future.

Morocco, while saying it is ready for autonomy, has ruled out any vote that could lead to independence. territory’s future.

Algiers cut diplomatic relations with Rabat in 2021. 

– Nampa/AFP