Algeria uses diplomatic pressure after Failing in Bid for Seat on the African Union Peace and Security Council

Algeria experienced a major diplomatic setback after its bid for a seat on the African Union’s Peace and Security Council (PSC) failed, an important body it has sought to join for years. Algeria attempted to influence the votes of African countries by deploying an “army of mediators,” hoping to convince its peers to support its candidacy. However, the lack of support highlighted the growing mistrust toward Algeria from several African nations, particularly Mali.

Algeria’s failure to secure the necessary votes to join the PSC underscores the growing distrust toward it, fueled by its tensions with several African states. Despite this pressure, Algeria was unable to convince the majority of the African Union members, leading to the decision to hold new elections as part of the upcoming ordinary summit of the African Union, scheduled for February 15-16 in Addis Ababa.

This setback is particularly significant as Morocco has successfully held leadership roles in several African organizations, including the PSC. Since Morocco took the helm of the council, it has revitalized the discussion dynamic, distancing Algeria’s influence, which had long dominated the organization. This shift marks a turning point in African diplomatic relations, with Morocco increasingly seen as a key player in the continent’s stabilization.

In parallel to this diplomatic failure, Algeria continues to vehemently criticize Morocco’s position, especially regarding the Western Sahara issue. Algeria maintains its support for the Polisario Front, while Morocco steadfastly defends its sovereignty over the region. This long-standing conflict remains a major point of friction not only between the two countries but also within international bodies.

Algeria’s failure to secure a seat on the African Union Peace and Security Council reveals an increasingly unfavorable dynamic for the country. Despite the efforts of its diplomats to persuade their African counterparts, Algeria fails to overcome the growing diplomatic isolation it has entrenched itself in. This phenomenon is largely due to its contentious foreign policy, which includes not only its differences with Morocco but also its tensions with other countries such as Spain and France.

The geopolitical situation for Algeria seems to be worsening, with a gradual loss of influence in Africa and beyond. The country’s growing isolation, compounded by ongoing disagreements with its Sahel neighbors and diplomatic conflicts with Western powers, signals a weakening of its leadership role on the continent. This shift could mark a lasting change in the region’s geopolitical balance, with Morocco rising in prominence.