Algeria Relegated to “Second Division” in the African Union
In the grand theater of African diplomacy, where nations play their roles with varying degrees of success, Algeria has found itself cast in one of the most humiliating roles: that of an extra, pushed to the sidelines.
A symbolic image perfectly encapsulates this decline. In a striking photo, Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf is seen sitting far back in the rows, while his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita, occupies a prominent front-row seat. This scene speaks volumes about Algeria’s waning diplomatic influence—once loud and assertive, now struggling to be heard in the arenas where the continent’s future is decided.
A Crushing Defeat in the Peace and Security Council
But this symbolic sidelining was only a prelude to an even more painful blow. Algeria had high hopes of reclaiming a seat on the African Union’s Peace and Security Council (PSC), but its ambitions crashed against a harsh reality: it failed to secure the necessary votes.
Despite an intense diplomatic campaign and desperate efforts to rally support, the result was clear: an outright rejection. Even worse, a wave of abstentions in the final round forced a postponement of the vote—an additional humiliation that underscores Algeria’s diminishing influence, especially in contrast to Morocco’s strategically adept maneuvering.
A Hasty Escape
Following this humiliating defeat, Ahmed Attaf chose not to face the fallout. According to Kenyan journalist Mwangi Maina, the Algerian government’s Gulfstream jet left Addis Ababa in a hurry, carrying a visibly shaken minister. Rather than attempting to salvage the situation, Algeria opted to flee—an act that further confirmed the depth of its diplomatic failure.
A Continent Moving Forward, While Algeria Falls Behind
This episode is more than just another setback for Algeria; it is a clear sign that Africa is evolving beyond outdated power dynamics. Today, African nations seek genuine, fruitful partnerships, far removed from empty populist rhetoric and rigid old doctrines.
Meanwhile, Algeria remains trapped in outdated strategies that no longer work. Its exclusion from the PSC is a direct consequence of its erratic foreign policies—ones that favor regional disruption over constructive diplomacy.
An Ongoing Marginalization
This failure leaves Algeria exactly where that now-famous photo suggests: in the background, relegated to a second-tier diplomatic status. While Morocco advances with confidence and credibility, Algeria clings to obsolete doctrines, ignored and increasingly irrelevant.
This African Union summit will undoubtedly be remembered as a turning point—one where Algeria’s influence crumbled under its own contradictions. But given the regime’s rigid stance, it’s unlikely any lessons will be learned. The cycle repeats, and Algeria continues to watch, powerless, as progress moves forward without it.
