President Tebboune Reaffirms Algeria’s Unwavering Commitment to Just Causes and Oppressed Peoples
BY: Hana Saada
New York, September 20, 2023— In a powerful address to the 78th United Nations General Assembly, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune of Algeria reinforced his nation’ steadfast dedication to supporting just causes and oppressed peoples worldwide. The President’s impassioned speech touched on several pressing international issues, emphasizing Algeria’s unwavering commitment to justice, peace, and self-determination for all.
Reaffirming Algeria’s Enduring Support
President Tebboune began his address by reaffirming Algeria’s unwavering commitment to supporting just causes and oppressed peoples. He underscored Algeria’s deep-rooted belief that the struggle for freedom remains paramount, especially for those at the forefront, such as the Palestinian and Sahrawi peoples.
He noted, “Algeria, which is well placed to assess the price to pay to wrest freedom, will never renounce its support for just causes and oppressed peoples who fight for their freedom.”
Algeria’s Support for the Palestinian Cause
A pivotal focus of President Tebboune’s address was Algeria’ steadfast support for the Palestinian cause. He reiterated Algeria’ stance that the Palestinian people deserve their inalienable rights to establish an independent state with its capital in Al-Quds (Jerusalem), in accordance with international law.
President Tebboune mentioned Algeria’s initiative from a year ago, a conference aimed at unifying Palestinian factions, which resulted in the adoption of the Algiers Declaration. He also called for an extraordinary General Assembly to grant Palestine full UN membership and urged the International Court of Justice to issue an advisory opinion on human rights violations in the occupied Palestinian territories, including Al-Quds.
Furthermore, the President urged the UN Security Council to sponsor the two-state solution as the international consensus and called for an end to unilateral acts by the occupying entity, including settlements in occupied Palestinian territories.
The Arab Peace Initiative and Self-Determination for Palestinians
President Tebboune reaffirmed Algeria’s commitment to the Arab Peace Initiative as a framework for resolving the Palestinian cause, emphasizing the need for the international community to facilitate the exercise of Palestinian self-determination and full rights.
Resolving the Western Sahara Conflict
The President highlighted Algeria’s aspiration to achieve the definitive decolonization of Western Sahara. He stressed the importance of a free and fair referendum in accordance with the UN-OAU settlement plan adopted by the Security Council in 1991. He called on the UN to preserve the credibility of its resolutions and support efforts to relaunch direct talks between the parties involved in the Western Sahara conflict.
Regional Peace and Stability
President Tebboune addressed regional conflicts and Algeria’s role in promoting peaceful solutions. Regarding Libya, he reiterated support for UN efforts to find an inter-Libyan political solution while preserving the nation’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
On Mali, President Tebboune expressed Algeria’s determination to continue mediation efforts and uphold the peace and reconciliation agreement resulting from the Algiers process. He stressed the importance of avoiding the use of force to resolve conflicts.
Upholding Constitutional Order and Dialogue
Regarding Niger, the President reaffirmed Algeria’s commitment to a peaceful return to constitutional order. He urged the primacy of political and diplomatic solutions and warned against foreign military interventions due to their grave consequences. A similar warning was extended to Sudan, with the President urging all parties to prioritize dialogue and cease hostilities.
In closing, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s address to the UN General Assembly left no doubt about Algeria’s resolute commitment to just causes and oppressed peoples, emphasizing the importance of diplomacy, dialogue, and adherence to international law in resolving global conflicts. Algeria, under President Tebboune’s leadership, continues to stand as a staunch advocate for justice and self-determination on the international stage.
