#Western_Sahara #United_States #Christopher_Landau #Morocco #Algeria
Tunis, April 28 (EFE). — U.S. Under Secretary of State Christopher Landau said Tuesday in Algiers that there is a “need to find” a solution to the long-running Western Sahara conflict, an issue that continues to shape the political agenda of the Maghreb.
The dispute, ongoing since the withdrawal of Spain in 1975, pits the claims of Morocco — which controls about 80% of the territory — against independence demands backed by Algeria, which supports holding a self-determination referendum. Such a vote would include both Morocco’s autonomy proposal and the option of independence.
In 2007, Rabat presented a plan to the United Nations granting autonomy under its sovereignty, a proposal supported by the United States, which considers it “serious, credible and realistic.” Algeria, however, rejects the plan as unilateral and exclusionary.
During his visit to Algiers, Landau met with Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf, with whom he discussed “the evolution of the political process to resolve the Sahrawi issue,” according to the minister, who provided no further details. The U.S. official also held a private meeting with President Abdelmayid Tebún, the content of which was not disclosed.
Beyond the Western Sahara issue, Landau praised the “stability” of relations between Washington and Algiers, describing them as “conducive” to strengthening economic and trade ties.
On the energy front, he highlighted the interest of U.S. companies in establishing “long-term” partnerships in the hydrocarbons sector with Algeria, Africa’s leading gas producer and a key player in oil production. For his part, Energy Minister Mohamed Arkab invited expanded cooperation between the state-owned Sonatrach and U.S. giants such as ExxonMobil and Chevron, urging them to seize investment opportunities in the country.
Landau also met with Mines Minister Murad Hanifi to explore avenues for collaboration in the extraction and processing of strategic minerals, which are essential for advanced technology industries and renewable energy.
The diplomat will continue his Maghreb tour on Wednesday with a visit to Morocco, amid the ongoing Western Sahara dispute and sustained international attention on regional stability.