In a message to UNSG Antonio Guterres: President Tebboune outlines Algeria’s priorities
BY/ Hana Saada
ALGIERS- The President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, has conveyed a message to United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, outlining Algeria’s priorities following its election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. The election, which was approved by the Assembly General of the United Nations, will see Algeria serve a two-year term starting January 1, 2024.
In his message, President Tebboune emphasized Algeria’s key objectives during its tenure on the Security Council. He also underscored the significance of this election, stating that it confers a particular responsibility on Algeria to participate in the international decision-making process aimed at strengthening global peace and security.
As Algeria prepares to take on this important role, it is committed to working closely with the United Nations and its member states to address the pressing issues facing the international community. With a steadfast focus on promoting peace, stability, and prosperity, Algeria is poised to make a meaningful contribution to the Security Council’s efforts to safeguard the world’s most vulnerable populations and promote a more peaceful and just world.
Algeria’ Security Council membership, a diplomatic luster following era of disempowerment
Algeria was elected unopposed to the United Nations Security Council as a non-permanent member for the period 2024–2025. The Security Council is made up of 15 member states: five permanent veto-wielding countries (Britain, China, France, Russia, and the United States) and 10 others who serve two-year terms. Each year, five of those spots are up for grabs. The 10 non-permanent seats are allocated to represent all regions equally.
The election of Algeria as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for a two-year term starting January 1, 2024, is a significant diplomatic success that confirms the country’s return to the international scene. This achievement reflects the high regard and esteem that the President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, enjoys from the international community, as stated in a press release from the Presidency of the Republic.
Algeria’s pivotal role in the region and its contribution to international peace and security have been recognized by the overwhelming majority of votes, 184 out of 193, in the first round of the UN General Assembly’ secret ballot. This election is significant milestone for the country’s foreign policy and a testament to its growing influence in the international arena.
Under the leadership of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Algeria has experienced a remarkable metamorphosis. In just three years, half of which were under the challenging conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic, the country has become a key player in peacekeeping, conflict resolution, and regional cooperation.
For decades, noteworthy, Algeria had been absent from the regional diplomatic scene. Although conflicts in neighboring countries posed a serious security threat, Algiers lacked modern and proactive policies to address them.
As the President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, took office in 2020, he reasserted Algeria’s role in addressing regional crises. Subsequently, New Algeria, whose foundations were laid thanks to his far-sighted vision amidst international changing circumstances, has reinforced its regional and international position, playing a pivotal and pioneering role through its solidarity with the liberation movements in the world.
New Algeria is playing a leading and axial geopolitical role in the region based on its long-standing principles. President Tebboune gave new impetus to a disempowered diplomatic apparatus, and in a very short time, he managed to place Algeria on the world chessboard.
Inspired by its anti-colonial struggle, Algiers is standing up as a voice of oppressed people and a defender of states’ sovereignty. It exerted huge efforts to rescind the observer status granted to the Zionist Entity in the African Union (AU). Plans of the Zionists to sneak, once again, into the African Union have been spectacularly backfired by Algeria, one of Palestine’s strongest supporters in Africa and the whole world.
In addition, world leaders hailed Algeria’s efforts and the means it has mobilized to ensure the success of the Arab Summit held in Algiers. Besides, President Tebboune succeeded in unifying the Palestinian factions thanks to the signing of the Algiers’ Declaration.
Noting that in his first speech since being sworn into office, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune confirmed Algiers’ stances on various policies, stressing on Algeria’s fundamental principles, namely: the defense of national independence, the respect for the territorial integrity, the recovery of national identity, the refusal of any form of internal interference and the foreign military presence on its soil, the rejection of alliance policy and military pacts, the active participation in the struggle against underdevelopment and poverty, the principle of reciprocity, the non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs, and the peaceful settlement of crises.
In this vein, President Tebboune has spearheaded numerous diplomatic initiatives aimed at resolving crises, particularly with Algeria’s neighboring countries. As a result, Algeria has been able to assert its vision for resolving conflicts in Libya and Mali, establishing itself as a key player within the African continent’s institutions. Its influence is evident in the mobilization of several African nations to confront various challenges, including countering the Zionist entity’s attempts to infiltrate the continent and expelling its intrusive delegation that sought to interfere with the African Conference’s proceedings. Additionally, Algeria has successfully thwarted the Makhzen regime’s malicious efforts to manipulate African countries’ positions on the Western Sahara issue through underhanded tactics employed by Moroccan diplomacy. As a result, Algeria’s voice carries significant weight in the African community, and its input is crucial in any decision-making process.
Regarding Western Sahara, President Tebboune highlighted Algiers’ principled stance towards this cause, renewing the country’s unwavering and unconditional support for the legitimate right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination through a free and fair referendum and to stand by their side to reach a permanent solution to their just cause in accordance with international law and legitimacy and in line with the United Nations doctrine of decolonization.
Broaching the situation in Libya, Algeria is still attached to the stability of this country, refusing to be kept out of the settlement process.
Algeria, under the leadership of President Tebboune, will continue to play a leading role in the resolution of the crisis in Libya. The main principles of the Algerian initiative are known. The solution can only be political and peaceful and can only emanate from the Libyans themselves with international support, notably from neighboring countries.
Algeria has, as part of its tireless efforts aimed at reaching a solution to the Libyan crisis, relaunched several mechanisms. It hosted the foreign ministers meeting of Libya’s neighboring countries (Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Chad, Sudan, and Niger) to establish coordination and promote dialogue between these countries.
In a related context, President Tebboune’s Agency for International Cooperation for Solidarity and Development (ALDEC) has made significant strides in Africa since its launch three years ago. During the 36th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the African Union, President Tebboune entrusted ALDEC with the task of contributing to the advancement of development in the African continent. Algeria’s commitment to this cause is evident in its decision to allocate one billion dollars for solidarity efforts.
Algeria has evolved as a key diplomatic power, fostering good relations between various countries and mediating in many regional conflicts. The country has also managed to build a robust diplomatic network, both on the African continent and beyond. Its reputation has been reinforced by its ability to formulate coherent policies that have contributed to the peace and stability of the region, with the legacy of its role in mediating in many conflict zones within the continent always in view. The importance of Algeria’s contribution cannot be overstated, as it has been vital to the maintenance of regional peace and security.
With respect to Arab causes, President Tebboune stressed on multiple occasions that the Palestinian cause is a constant in the foreign policy of the Algerian state. Algeria will remain a supporter of Palestine and its people, who are fighting against a brute colonial force, until the establishment of their independent state.
Besides, Algeria voiced its rejection of the Middle East peace plan sponsored by US President Donald Trump, which gives the Zionist Entity the right to have Jerusalem, El Quds, as its capital.
On another level, Algeria has demonstrated an exceptional ability to manage its relationships with its European and Mediterranean neighbors. The country has consistently adhered to its established principles of mutual respect in its dealings with France and Spain and has utilized diplomatic means to resolve any issues that may arise. Algeria’s unwavering commitment to dignity and pride has been a driving force behind its strict policy, which has culminated in the country becoming a strategic partner for the entire old continent. As a result, no country can arouse its wrath or even consider interfering in its affairs.
Furthermore, Algeria has maintained positive relationships with major countries across the globe, as attested by the foreign ministers of the United States, Russia, China, and Britain. These countries view Algeria as a friend and value its unique insights into various issues on multiple levels, including the Maghreb, North Africa, the Sahel, the Mediterranean, and the Arab and Islamic regions. Algeria’s principles in the pursuit of peace have positioned it to play significant roles in other spaces beyond its regional and geographical surroundings.
As for Spain, the Spanish government led by Pedro Sanchez reversed, in March 2022, its position regarding Western Sahara by expressing its support for Morocco’s plan for this occupied territory. Following this reversal, Algeria recalled its ambassador to Madrid, then suspended, last June, the Treaty of Friendship and Good Neighborliness with Spain signed in 2002. Algeria had also frozen the bank domiciliations of foreign trade operations of products and services, from and to Spain.
Algeria’s diplomatic prowess and steadfast commitment to its principles have earned it a respected place on the global stage. Its ability to navigate complex relationships with its neighbors and major world powers alike is a testament to its leadership and foresight. As Algeria continues to play a vital role in shaping the future of the region and beyond, the world will undoubtedly continue to look to it for guidance and insight.
Finally, how not to indicate Algeria’s decision to join the BRICS group, consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, as the bloc accounts for about a quarter of the world’s gross domestic product.
Algeria is committed to contributing to the Security Council’s efforts to strengthen international peace and security through reinvigorated multilateralism and major partnerships. The country is also dedicated to promoting the principles and values of non-alignment, fighting against terrorism, and encouraging the participation of women and young people in these international efforts.
Furthermore, Algeria will ensure that the voices of Arab and African countries are heard and that common strategic interests are defended on all issues within the Security Council’s jurisdiction. This commitment is a testament to Algeria’s renewed diplomatic efforts in the region and Africa, which have resulted in significant achievements in upholding international law and re-establishing fundamental rules governing relations.
Algeria’s principled stance on the rights of colonized peoples to self-determination has earned the respect of many countries that were previously reluctant to accommodate the resolutions of the international community. As experts explain, Algeria’s actions and exploits have been resounding, making it impossible to overlook the country’ significant contributions to conflict resolution.
