Algeria is expressing concern over the terrorism accusations directed at the Polisario Front
The international campaign to list the Polisario as a terrorist organization and the accusations of complicity with terrorist movements made by Sahel countries are raising concerns in Algeria. Since yesterday, the eastern neighbor has been hosting a forum titled «Geopolitics of Terrorism in the Shadow of New Global Changes».
The opening session was attended by General Said Chengriha, Chief of Staff of the Army and Deputy Minister of Defense. In his speech, the general, dressed in military uniform, asserted that «Algeria does not tolerate any compromise in the fight it has led against terrorism, in accordance with the republic's laws».
«Thanks to its people, its army, and its institutions, Algeria has triumphed over terrorism and developed a unique experience in combating and preventing this scourge, both operationally and through the adoption of an inclusive and multidimensional approach», he emphasized.
Algeria is particularly concerned by calls, including from President Donald Trump, to designate the Polisario as a terrorist entity. The Algerian government has been hosting the Front's armed militias on its territory for 50 years. Morocco has consistently reaffirmed Algeria's responsibility for the actions carried out by the Polisario from Algerian soil. This claim is now being championed by American think tanks with ties to the Trump administration.
Three months prior to the forum on the «geopolitics of terrorism in the shadow of new global changes», presided over by General Said Chengriha, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune announced that his country had not supplied weapons to the Polisario. «The Sahrawis are requesting weapons that we are refraining from providing for the time being», he declared in an interview with a French media outlet. These remarks were made shortly after Donald Trump was inaugurated as President of the United States.
Since then, the situation has evolved. In addition to reports accusing the separatist movement of terrorism, a "minister" of the Polisario publicly called last week for the commission of terrorist acts against tourists and investors visiting Western Sahara.
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