Financial Times: Algeria Faces Crippling Isolation Amid Morocco’s Growing Diplomatic Triumphs
By Iman Alaoui / ALDAR
In a scathing political analysis, the British newspaper Financial Times painted a bleak picture of Algeria’s current diplomatic and political situation, describing it as an “isolated” and “besieged” country, powerless in the face of Morocco’s continuous international victories—particularly regarding the Western Sahara issue.
The British daily considered the United Kingdom’s recent decision to support Morocco’s autonomy plan for the Sahara as a “new setback” for Algeria, coming at a time when global recognition of the Moroccan initiative as a credible and realistic solution is accelerating. The paper noted that “all major Western powers now stand behind Rabat,” which further deepens Algeria’s isolation and exposes the fragility of its foreign policy stance.
Analyzing the reasons behind Algeria’s retreat, Financial Times pointed to the country’s stagnant economy, which still struggles under a “socialist” framework and remains heavily dependent on oil and gas exports, with little success in diversifying its resources or modernizing its economic infrastructure.
Regionally, the paper highlighted Algeria’s growing anxiety over the intensifying Moroccan-Israeli military cooperation, as well as Rabat’s deepening strategic partnership with Abu Dhabi—particularly after the UAE pledged to co-finance a massive gas pipeline project linking Nigeria to Europe through Morocco, with an estimated cost of $25 billion. The paper described this move as a “heavy blow” to Algeria, which has long aspired to be the main energy gateway between Africa and Europe.
Tensions have also reached new heights with the emergence of Russian military presence in the Sahel region, near Algeria’s southern borders—a development that has alarmed the Algerian military establishment, especially given its lack of influence in this volatile area.
On the European front, Financial Times pointed to Algeria’s ongoing open-ended diplomatic rift with France, worsened by the arrest of Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal and Algiers’ refusal to readmit undocumented migrants that France seeks to deport. This deadlock could potentially lead to the annulment of the 1968 bilateral agreement between the two countries—a move the paper warns could be “devastating” for the relationship and bring an end to privileges Algeria has enjoyed since its independence.
In conclusion, observers note that Algeria appears to be cornered and increasingly marginalized, while Morocco continues to score strategic gains that are reshaping the balance of power in North Africa and the Sahel—backed by growing support from the world’s major capitals.
