Algeria terminates Parliamentary ties with French senate over western Sahara visit

Algeria’s upper house, the Council of the Nation, announced on Monday the immediate termination of its relations with the French Senate, including the cessation of the parliamentary cooperation protocol signed on September 8, 2015.

The decision was made in response to a recent visit by French Senate Speaker Gérard Larcher to El Aaiún, the main city in Western Sahara controlled by the partially recognized Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR).

In an official statement, the Council of the Nation condemned the visit, describing it as “a concerning and extreme incident” that reflects the growing influence of far-right forces in France. The statement asserted that the visit “disregards international legitimacy” and “sharply contradicts” United Nations Security Council resolutions intended to uphold human rights and the right of colonized peoples to self-determination. Under the leadership of Salah Goudjil, the Council held France responsible for what it termed a “provocative and ostentatious” act tied to colonial policies and biased decision-making.

The move follows long-standing tensions over the Western Sahara issue—a dispute that has strained relations between Algeria and Morocco for decades. The conflict dates back to 1975 after Spain’s withdrawal from the territory, when Morocco and the pro-independence Polisario Front entered into a bitter struggle that eventually led to a ceasefire in 1991. While Morocco claims sovereignty over most of Western Sahara and proposes extensive autonomy for the region, the Polisario Front, which is supported by Algeria, advocates for a referendum on self-determination. The United Nations does not recognize the sovereignty claims of either party.

Algerian officials stressed that the decision to cut ties with the French Senate was a direct reaction to the visit, which they believe undermines international norms and the UN Charter. The termination of this longstanding parliamentary cooperation marks a significant diplomatic rift, highlighting the sensitivity of the Western Sahara issue in regional geopolitics.

As tensions continue to simmer, the move is expected to have broader implications for bilateral relations between Algeria and France, as well as for international discussions on decolonization and self-determination in disputed territories.

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