BY: Dr. Hana Saada
As Minister Attaf leads a high-stakes diplomatic mission to Addis Ababa, Algeria stands just one vote away from reclaiming its rightful seat at the African Union’s most vital organ for stability and conflict resolution
Algiers, Algeria | April 14th, 2025 — On behalf of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Algerian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, the National Community Abroad, and African Affairs, Ahmed Attaf, is on an official mission to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, leading decisive diplomatic efforts ahead of the African Union’s 34th Extraordinary Executive Council Session scheduled for Tuesday.
During his visit to Addis Ababa, Attaf co-chaired, on Sunday, the Fifth Session of the Algerian-Ethiopian Joint Commission alongside his Ethiopian counterpart, Gedion Timothewos. According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the session offered an opportunity for a comprehensive review of all areas of bilateral cooperation. The discussions also allowed both sides to expand the legal framework governing Algerian-Ethiopian relations and chart new cooperation priorities across key strategic sectors.
Attaf’s visit coincides with a pivotal moment for Algeria’s diplomatic presence in Africa. On Tuesday, April 15, he will take part in the African Union’s 34th Extraordinary Executive Council Session, where the elections postponed from the previous February session will finally be concluded. Among the central points on the agenda is the final vote to fill the remaining seat in the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union—a core institution responsible for conflict prevention, crisis management, and continental stability.
Algeria stands just one vote away from reclaiming its rightful seat. During the sixth voting round in February, Algeria garnered 32 votes—just one short of the two-thirds majority (33 votes) required for admission. The vote was thus deferred to this week’s extraordinary session, where all eyes are now on the final outcome.
Algeria’s candidacy—rooted in credibility, historical contribution, and unshakable dedication to peace on the continent—emerges against a backdrop of regional competition. In North Africa, the contenders included Algeria, Libya, and Morocco. The latter, a sitting member from 2023 to 2025, defied the traditional regional consensus and AU rotational practices by seeking re-election, despite norms discouraging successive terms.
Historically, six of the seven North African states have served on the PSC—with the exception of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR). While Mauritania, Morocco, and Tunisia have each held one mandate, three other states secured multiple terms. Algeria, in particular, has been a cornerstone of the PSC since its inception in 2004, abstaining only during a voluntary hiatus between 2010 and 2013.
Over the past 18 years, Algeria has persistently contributed to shaping the Peace and Security Council, establishing itself as a powerhouse for conflict resolution, multilateral negotiation, and continental stabilization. Its strategic engagement has been particularly pronounced in the fragile Sahel region, where terrorism and instability threaten regional cohesion. Algeria’s approach—comprehensive, inclusive, and rooted in full respect for state sovereignty—has earned international recognition and regional admiration.
Despite attempts by Morocco to derail the PSC’s work and manipulate the voting process, Algeria won a commanding 30 votes to Morocco’s 17 in the final official round. The Kingdom’s elimination prompted disruptive maneuvers, which ultimately failed. Algeria’s score of 32 votes solidifies its near-certain accession in the upcoming round. “While some parties thrive on obstruction, confusion, and destabilization, Algeria remains committed to transparent and constructive diplomacy,” said a senior AU diplomat in Addis Ababa.
The official also referenced the broader context of geopolitical subversion, stating: “The Zionist standard-bearer in Africa may multiply lies and schemes, but these tricks remain futile—highlighted by the latest reprimand issued by the African Union to a Zionist diplomat who once again infiltrated the organization’s circles, despite the ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.”
In parallel with his institutional mission, Minister Attaf held a high-level meeting with Ambassador Selma Malika Haddadi, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission and Algeria’s senior representative within the organization. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this bilateral meeting, held on Monday, focused on enhancing the financial and administrative governance of the African Union and boosting the organization’s capacity to confront complex political, security, and economic challenges.
“The encounter allowed for an in-depth exchange of views on pan-African efforts to modernize governance within the African Union,” the Ministry affirmed, “while also reinforcing mechanisms aimed at enabling the continental body to effectively respond to rising cross-sectoral threats.”
Ambassador Selma Malika Haddadi’s prominent election as Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission signals Algeria’s growing influence within the AU’s top ranks—a strategic diplomatic foothold Algeria intends to harness to further strengthen peace, unity, and institutional excellence across the continent.
As Tuesday’s vote looms, Algeria’s return to the Peace and Security Council appears imminent. Should it secure the final vote, its new mandate—extending from 2025 to 2028—will mark another milestone in the country’s determined campaign to uphold African sovereignty, resilience, and collective security in an increasingly unstable world order.
