Algerian Interior Minister Ibrahim Murad began his official visit to Spain on Monday, marking the first such visit since the diplomatic crisis between the two nations in 2022.
This visit holds significant meaning as it signifies a potential thaw in the strained relations that followed a series of diplomatic tensions. Murad’s visit aims to address critical issues of bilateral cooperation.
The diplomatic strain began after Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed support for Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara. This move led to the suspension of cooperation between Spain and Algeria, with trade relations largely severed.
During the visit, Minister Murad is expected to engage in discussions with Spanish officials, focusing on strengthening cooperation and finding common ground on various issues. The visit represents the first tangible effort at dialogue between the two countries since the crisis began.
The visit also comes in the wake of recent signs of reconciliation. Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf met with his Spanish counterpart, José Manuel Albares, last week on the sidelines of the G20 summit. This marked an unprecedented meeting since the 2022 diplomatic fallout.
This renewed engagement between Algeria and Spain occurs against a backdrop of escalating tensions between Algeria and France. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has warned of an irreversible rupture with France, a sentiment fueled by French President Macron’s support for Morocco’s stance on Western Sahara.
The Western Sahara issue, a source of conflict between Morocco and Algeria for decades, continues to fuel diplomatic discord. Both countries remain at odds over the future of the disputed territory, with Algeria firmly backing the Polisario Front’s call for a referendum on self-determination.
