Algeria’s FM Attaf Reaffirms Core Principles, Calls for Global Commitment to Justice and Multilateralism at UN Assembly

BY: Dr. Hana Saada

Algiers, Algeria | September 30th, 2024 — At the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Monday, Algeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Attaf, delivered a forceful and impassioned address, underscoring Algeria’s unwavering commitment to its foundational principles of justice, sovereignty, and multilateralism. In a speech that tackled critical global issues, Attaf emphasized the pressing need for the international community to uphold the UN Charter and ensure a rules-based global order, rather than one dictated by the use of force.

Attaf began by outlining the dire state of the world, stating that “Our world is at a critical, sensitive, and dangerous turning point,” marked by “the accumulation of conflicts, crises, and wars,” coupled with the widening development gap between the Global North and South, and the ever-worsening threats posed by climate change. He lamented the growing polarization in global politics, the marginalization of multilateral institutions, and the continued failure of the collective security system, which has left many conflicts unresolved.

He called attention to the persistence of unilateral sanctions and the selective application of international law, stressing the urgent need to restore multilateralism to its proper place. “This turning point highlights the failure of the collective security system,” Attaf declared, “as disputes continue to be resolved through force, with the excessive and selective use of unilateral sanctions, the abandonment of international commitments, and the disregard for international law.”

An Unwavering Stand for Palestine and Lebanon

Attaf’s remarks were especially pointed regarding the ongoing plight of the Palestinian and Lebanese peoples, whose suffering he described as an “inferno” imposed by Zionist occupation forces. He stressed the urgency of halting the Zionist entity’s continued aggression in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon, and urged the international community to finally hold this entity accountable for its violations, as mandated under Chapter VII of the UN Charter.

“It is high time that the international community put an end to the hell imposed on the Palestinian and Lebanese peoples and halt the ‘Israeli’ occupation that seeks to plunge the Middle East into an endless spiral of crises and conflicts,” Attaf urged.

Drawing attention to the long-standing call from Algeria for the recognition of Palestine, Attaf reiterated President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s plea for the full membership of the State of Palestine at the UN, a request made during the previous session. With the escalation of Zionist violence in recent months, he argued, this demand is more urgent than ever. “Today, the Palestinian cause is enduring one of its darkest periods,” Attaf said. “The full membership of Palestine in the United Nations remains a crucial step to preserve the two-state solution and counter ‘Israeli’ efforts to bury it.”

Decolonization: Algeria’s Unyielding Support for Western Sahara

Addressing another core tenet of Algeria’s foreign policy, Attaf reaffirmed his country’s unwavering support for the decolonization of Western Sahara, expressing full backing for the UN’s efforts to facilitate direct negotiations between Morocco and the Polisario Front. “Algeria remains convinced that the complex challenges faced by the countries and peoples of the region demand international support and global solidarity,” Attaf said, urging a political resolution that guarantees the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination.

He sent a strong message to those attempting to perpetuate colonialism through subterfuge and manipulation, warning that “colonialism is destined to disappear, sooner or later, and the legitimate rights of the Sahrawi people will eventually triumph.”

Algeria’s Commitment to Africa and Global Security

On the African continent, Attaf highlighted Algeria’s proactive engagement in advancing the African Union’s agenda for development, peace, and security. He stressed the importance of African solutions for African conflicts and called for reforms in international financial institutions to better represent the continent’s interests. “Africa first aspires to African solutions to resolve its conflicts,” he said, pointing to Algeria’s leadership in promoting economic integration, including in emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence and renewable energy.

Attaf also underscored the fragility of the Sahel-Saharan region, where terrorism, political instability, and underdevelopment have worsened due to climate change. He reaffirmed Algeria’s solidarity with neighboring countries, emphasizing that the security and stability of the region are inseparable from Algeria’s own. “Algeria continues to work towards balanced and mutually beneficial cooperation in its Saharo-Sahelian neighborhood,” he said, calling for stronger international support to tackle the region’s myriad challenges.

A Stronger, More Stable Algeria on the Global Stage

Domestically, Attaf emphasized that Algeria, under the leadership of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, is on a path of political and economic stability, driven by diversification and the strengthening of its social state. These reforms, he said, have already borne fruit, as evidenced by Algeria’s position among the three strongest economies on the African continent.

“We are advancing steadily on the path of political and economic stability, reinforcing our economy and solidifying Algeria’s role as a leading player on the African continent,” Attaf stated. He closed by reaffirming Algeria’s readiness to engage in close cooperation with other UN member states that share its commitment to international law, justice, and multilateralism.

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