The government of Algeria has announced that it has suspended a “treaty of friendship […] and cooperation” concluded in 2002 with Spain.
This announcement was made at the end of a meeting of the Algerian High Security Council chaired by President Tebboune.
In a swift reaction, Spain regretted Algiers’ decision, adding it “considers Algeria a friend” and remained open “to develop the special relationship of cooperation between the two countries”.
It is germane to note that the treaty provided for the strengthening of political dialogue between Spain and Algeria and the development of cooperation in fields including economy and education.
Algeria’s move came after Madrid altered its long-standing position on Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony, to back Morocco’s autonomy project for Western Sahara. Algiers called it a “violation of [Spain’s] legal, moral and political obligations“.
Local reports have it that the vast desert area bordering the Atlantic and Mauritania has been claimed by Rabat and Western Sahara since 1975. Western Sahara clings to a self-determination referendum that was provided by the 1991 ceasefire agreement reached under the mediation of the UN in order to settle the dispute. Nevertheless, Morocco suggests autonomy under its sovereignty.
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