In this interview that he gave us at the end of his visit to Algeria, the American Under-Secretary of State for North Africa, Joshua Harris, affirmed that the United States and Algeria share the same vision on the question of Western Sahara and on many other issues at the regional level. He also announced the holding of a meeting this fall, in Washington, as part of the strategic dialogue between the two countries.
You arrived in Algeria on August 31, where you met several officials and discussed numerous regional issues. Can you give us more details about your visit which lasted until September 4?
It is a great pleasure to have the chance to speak with you. I arrived in Algeria a few days ago. I had the chance to visit Tindouf, my first visit. It was an opportunity to consult the Secretary-General (Brahim Ghali) and senior officials of the Polisario Front about our support for the United Nations process to arrive at a political solution, particularly for the Sahrawi people.
It was an opportunity to see, first-hand, the very serious situation facing the people of Western Sahara. Here in Algiers, I had the opportunity to consult with a very important partner of the United States on a wide range of issues that we began working on together a few weeks ago.
As you know, there was the visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Attaf, to the United States who met Secretary of State Antony Blinken and he had serious and very productive engagements on certain subjects including urgent challenges in the Sahel. I had the great honor of meeting the Minister of Foreign Affairs and discussing with him many regional issues, including our very strong alignment and support for the United Nations process in Western Sahara.
J’ai aussi rencontré le secrétaire général du ministère des Affaires étrangères avec lequel j’ai également abordé les mêmes sujets sur lesquels nous allons avancer ensemble, dans le cadre du dialogue stratégique entre les Etats-Unis et l’Algérie cet automne. Ce sera une autre opportunité de faire le point sur un partenariat vraiment complet et sur le rôle très important de l’Algérie dans certains dossiers sur lesquels nous travaillons ensemble.
Quel est l’objectif de votre visite dans les camps des réfugiés sahraouis, à quelques jours seulement d’une tournée régionale attendue de l’envoyé personnel du secrétaire général de l’ONU, Staffan de Mistura ?
The objective of my visit was to reflect the sincerity of our government in its support for the United Nations political process, and to arrive at a political solution for Western Sahara that is lasting and dignified. It was my first visit and it was an opportunity to learn and see directly the situation on the ground and to consult Secretary General Ghali on the importance of moving the United Nations process forward, at a time when the United Nations special envoy is working intensively to make this political movement a reality.
The Security Council, with the support of the United States, has been very clear, notably in its resolution 2654, on the full support given to the efforts of the United Nations personal envoy to Western Sahara and on the urgent need to act. It was therefore an opportunity to express the seriousness with which my government supported this approach. I think this vision is entirely shared by the United States and Algeria. We want to be sure that this UN process succeeds where unfortunately previous efforts have failed.
The support of the United States in the search for a political solution to the Western Sahara conflict under the auspices of the United Nations has been highlighted on several occasions. How does the American administration intend to translate, on the ground, its support for the UN political process to put an end to the current status quo and sustainably resolve the Western Sahara conflict which has persisted for almost half a century? ?
It is important to look back at what has happened in recent years to lead to the current situation. Before the appointment of Staffan de Mistura as personal envoy, there was a very worrying void in the political process. It is important to note that upon his appointment in 2021, he benefited from strong support from the Security Council. He uses this position to advance the political process on substance. Above all, it is about achieving significant results.
Another very important aspect is the fact that in recent years there has been a dangerous military escalation on the ground which can only be countered by the success of the United Nations process. There have been serious efforts undertaken over the past two years. Our government, as a supporter of the United Nations and De Mistura, is trying to use its relationships and partnerships, including its very strong partnership with Algeria, to create an environment where the United Nations process could advance substantially in a spirit of de-escalation. We are aware that this is not going to be an easy or quick job. But the United States and Algeria are working constructively to support Mr. Staffan de Mistura.
What is your vision of the situation prevailing in the Sahel region and more particularly what Niger has recently experienced? And what is the position of the American administration regarding the initiative launched by Algeria to resolve the crisis in Niger?
The United States and Algeria maintain a very developed and broad dialogue on security, including in the Sahel. There is a range of urgent challenges, particularly in Niger, and it is essential to restore constitutional order. And this is just one example among many where consultation between Algeria and the United States is, in my opinion, of vital importance. My government deeply appreciates Algeria’s voice in favor of security in this region.
It was a central part of Foreign Minister Attaf’s visit to Washington last month and his discussions with Secretary of State Blinken. This was also a central part of the discussions with Ambassador Aubin and my discussions with the Algerian government to reflect together on common challenges and how Algeria’s important voice could contribute to advancing these issues.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs has made a clear and very important proposal regarding the situation. I think we are observing the situation in complete agreement on the importance of the full restoration of constitutional order. We will continue to work closely together over the coming days and weeks to try to chart a path forward, consistent with this fundamental vision.
The Algerian government has adopted a comprehensive approach to achieving stability in the Sahel region and has proposed the organization, under the auspices of the UN, of an international conference on development in the Sahel. Does the United States intend to make its contribution to the success of this conference? What form will this contribution take?
Algeria has presented a very thoughtful vision for development and even democracy in the region, which is a sort of vital recipe for long-term stability. This is a vision that my government fundamentally shares. I think this is an absolutely central element in our bilateral relations, which the United States and Algeria discuss in their private meetings.
We are reflecting, at the same time, on very urgent challenges, such as the developments taking place in Niger, but also, there is a common desire to ensure the sustainability of these results. And in this regard, Algeria’s vision for regional development is very convincing. We have therefore taken note of the Algerian proposal announced by the minister concerning this conference. We also expressed our gratitude for the opportunity to engage in discussions on this topic.
I am sure that we will have other opportunities to learn more about the Algerian government’s vision on this subject and to consider very carefully how the United States might consider its potential role in bringing this project to fruition. Fundamentally, it makes sense to ensure that development is part of the equation to achieve sustainable results.
Algeria and the United States are conducting a security and strategic dialogue. How do you evaluate this dialogue which includes aspects related to cooperation in the field of combating transnational terrorism, and what is the United States’ vision of the spread of irregular organizations like the Wagner group in many African countries? ?
It is entirely true that the United States and Algeria maintain a very broad dialogue, particularly on the common challenges of terrorism in the region. I think Algeria’s contributions are vitally important. We will have other opportunities, in the weeks and months to come, to continue these discussions, particularly within the framework of the strategic dialogue between the United States and Algeria, a meeting of which will take place this fall in Washington. The dialogue will focus on a series of questions.
But of course, one of the important elements is what we have just discussed with regard to security in the Sahel, both the urgent short-term challenges and the long-term issues. Of course, continuing to think about how our governments are able to cooperate to sustainably resolve the problem of terrorism in the region is extremely important.
There is, in this sense, Algeria’s important vision regarding stability in Mali where, I think, we have a common vision regarding the threats that terrorist groups could represent. Threats that we must face effectively and sustainably.
And regarding mercenary groups, like Wagner, I think this is an important moment for any country in the region, which has or could consider maintaining relations with this group, to really think, especially after its failed insurrection in Russia and the death of Prigozhin. What I see is that where the Wagner Group goes in the region, instability immediately follows, and this must be taken into consideration especially when we want a more sustainable and stable long-term future for the entire region.
Algeria was elected to the United Nations Security Council as a non-permanent member. His mandate will begin in January 2024. What are the areas in which the United States of America would like to cooperate with Algeria, which has already expressed its priorities and highlighted the main issues that it intends to defend during its two-year mandate? ?
We warmly congratulated Algeria on its election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council and are very pleased to have this opportunity to work closely with our Algerian partners on all the issues brought before us. the Security Council. The agenda is incredibly broad.
There is therefore no shortage of areas for cooperation. This will be an opportunity to address, in the multilateral framework, a certain number of issues which we have just mentioned, such as for example security in the Sahel, the very worrying situation in Niger and the urgent need to re-establish peace there. constitutional order. There are also many other regional files that we will be working on.
Algeria and the United States share a very deep commitment on the Israeli-Palestinian file to achieve a two-state solution to guarantee equal measures of security, stability and prosperity for Israelis and Palestinians. This is an important matter which remains before the Security Council.
In Libya, the Security Council remains fully united behind UN Special Envoy Abdoulaye Bathily, in trying to support a political process in that country to enable national elections, successful elections, and create an enabling environment for this process progresses. This is an incredibly broad agenda, for which Algeria’s voice in the Security Council will be very important. The United States is very excited to be able to work with our Algerian partners in this context during Algeria’s term on the Security Council.
One of the demands that Algeria intends to put forward and defend, during its mandate, is the granting of Africa a permanent seat within the Security Council. Will the United States of America support the Algerian request?
This certainly represents an important aspect of discussions between the United States, Algeria and other members of the UN Security Council on how best to ensure that institutions like the Security Council are able to function.
I believe we will have many opportunities over the coming months as Algeria prepares to sit on the Security Council next January to learn in more detail Algeria’s vision for the future of the United Nations and how we could work together to ensure the success of these essential institutions.
So I’m looking forward to hearing more about their thoughts on this. This will certainly be a key element of our bilateral discussions between now and January.
