Ahtaf returns to Algeria empty-handed after a lackluster European tour
In a mission that seemed crucial for Algeria’s foreign policy, Foreign Minister Ahmed Ahtaf undertook a tour to Sweden and Finland, with the main aim of garnering supportive positions for Algeria’s view on the Western Sahara conflict. However, the results were disappointing, reflecting the inability of Algerian diplomacy to keep pace with Morocco’s rising dynamism in Europe.
Moves Without Gains
Ahmed Ahtaf arrived in Stockholm on April 23, where he met Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde. The meeting did not result in any official announcement supporting Algeria’s position on the Sahara. The joint statement focused solely on aspects of bilateral cooperation, without addressing contentious regional issues.
Sweden’s disregard for the file was not surprising. In May 2022, the former foreign minister rejected a delegation from the Polisario Front, marking the end of a phase of traditional sympathy shown by some leftist circles in Sweden towards the Front’s demands.
While in Stockholm, Ahtaf also visited the Olof Palme Foundation, named after the late socialist figure who historically supported liberation causes. However, this visit remained symbolic and did not reflect any tangible outcomes from the political tour.
Finland Continues Its Support for Morocco
From Sweden, Ahtaf moved to Helsinki, where he held a working session with Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto. The official statement from the Algerian Foreign Ministry discussed friendship relations and economic cooperation mechanisms, without any mention of the Sahara file.
This oversight was not a coincidence. In August 2024, Finland reaffirmed its support for Morocco’s autonomy initiative, considering it a "serious and realistic basis" for resolving the conflict. This position was clearly reiterated by Helsinki during Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita’s visit a few months ago.
Media Silence and Limited Results
Upon returning to Algeria, Ahtaf received minimal media coverage. There were no press conferences, nor any declarations of victory. Even the official Algerian media and those close to the Polisario remained silent, indicating the limited results of the visit.
In contrast, Morocco continued to strengthen its international positions. Bourita’s recent tour in Europe garnered supportive stances from the United States, France, Spain, Estonia, Hungary, Moldova, and Croatia, all of which affirmed their backing for the autonomy initiative proposed by Rabat in 2007.
Diplomatic Shifts Cornering Algeria
Ahtaf’s tour fails to obscure a gradually solidifying political reality: Algeria finds itself diplomatically isolated on the Sahara issue. European positions are clearly shifting in favor of Morocco, driven by economic interests, security alliances, and persistent American and French pressures.
The transformation is not limited to major capitals; even Scandinavian countries, which have traditionally been less engaged in the conflict, are now leaning towards supporting the Moroccan initiative.
