Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez traveled to Algeria for talks to resolve a 2022 diplomatic row stemming from Spain's stance on the Western Sahara conflict, highlighting deep regional rivalries between Algeria and Morocco.
Morocco's King Mohammed VI confirmed that a major highway, formerly the Tiznit-Dakhla highway, has been named after US President Donald Trump. This honor is a "personal expression of high regard" following Trump's 2020 recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara.
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune concluded his first official visit to Germany since 2019, securing agreements on energy security and a southern hydrogen corridor. While Berlin views Algiers as a critical partner for diversifying supply away from Russian and Gulf dependencies, experts note that Algeria's geopolitical leverage may allow it to deflect pressure on unresolved domestic human rights and political reform issues.
Morocco is promoting tourism in Western Sahara, marketing it as its own territory. This practice raises concerns among rights groups and legal experts regarding international law and the indigenous Sahrawi people's right to self-determination, as the UN classifies Western Sahara as a non-self-governing territory.
