Algeria is no longer a model for African diplomacy 60 years after its independence

Since the election of Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Algiers has been trying to restore its diplomatic image.

Here, Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra, during a press conference with his Finnish counterpart, in Helsinki, June 14, 2022. © Antti Aimo-Koivisto / Lehtikuva / AFP

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2 mins

Algeria celebrates on Tuesday the 60th anniversary of its independence, obtained on July 5, 1962 after 132 years of colonization and more than 7 years of war against France and approved by more than 99% of the votes during a referendum of self- determination.

While Algeria was a diplomatic reference for certain African countries at the time of its independence, the country has lost much of its aura on the scene of the continent and the region.

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Algeria lost the aura it had on the African continent after its independence, strong in the prestige of its war of national liberation.

Since President Abdelmadjid Tebboune came to power in December 2019, Algiers has been trying to regain a place at the forefront of the African and regional diplomatic scene, by getting involved, for example,

.

The voice of Algeria had become almost inaudible since 2013 and the stroke of former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who remained at the head of the country for 20 years.

But also because of internal crises that have led to a decline in the country.

For Brahim Oumansour, associate researcher at the Institute of International and Strategic Relations (Iris) and specialist in the Maghreb, Algeria has certainly retreated, but it remains an influential player within the African Union.

It thus retains strong ties with certain countries such as South Africa, although it faces competition from its Moroccan neighbor, with whom

 : Morocco now conducts

, in particular on the Western Sahara file.

However, Algeria remains an important partner, whether on the African continent, in the field of security and

.

If the foreign policy of Algiers has changed a lot since its independence,

, estimates the researcher in geopolitics Adlène Mohammedi, specialist in the Arab policy of Russia.

And this even if Algiers today seeks to spare its other international partners.

According to Adlène Mohammedi, Algeria has always maintained good relations with Russia since its independence

Magali Lagrange

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• Algeria

• Diplomacy

• Algerian War

• Abdelmadjid Tebboune