As it often does, Algeria tried to attribute pro-Polisario positions to its guest, positions that were never actually taken. But this time, the maneuver didn't work with Rwandan President Paul Kagame. Here's why. Rwandan President Paul Kagame paid a state visit to Algeria on June 3–4, marked by the signing of cooperation agreements and talks with his Algerian counterpart. As is customary, Algerian authorities attributed support for the Polisario's position to their distinguished guest. «We exchanged views on areas of tension and conflict in Africa and reaffirmed our support for the Sahrawi people and their right to self-determination through a free, fair, and regular referendum, in line with international legal decisions», President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said in his address, a statement welcomed by pro-Polisario media. However, in his own speech, President Kagame made no mention of the Western Sahara issue and expressed no alignment with Algeria's stance. This is confirmed by both the video and transcript of his remarks, published by the Rwandan presidency. Misrepresentation Uncovered Kagame's address focused primarily on strengthening the partnership between the two countries. He also reaffirmed Rwanda's commitment to «work together for the benefit of our people». «In moments of uncertainty, like we are experiencing globally, Africa needs to stay united towards a common vision», he said. While Rwanda still recognizes the so-called «Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic» (SADR), it has significantly deepened ties with Morocco since 2016, highlighted by King Mohammed VI's visit to Rwanda in October 2016 and Kagame's return visit to Morocco in January 2018. Just a month ago, Algeria claimed, via a statement from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, that Ghana supports «a political solution to Western Sahara that guarantees the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination in accordance with international law». The statement was widely echoed in Polisario-aligned media. However, Ghana's Foreign Ministry made no mention of the Sahara issue in its official communiqué following the April 30 meeting between its foreign minister and President Tebboune. Notably, Ghana had already suspended diplomatic relations with the «SADR» on January 7. These repeated Algerian claims come as Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara continues to gain international traction. Most recently, the United Kingdom, one of five permanent members of the UN Security Council, formally endorsed Morocco's initiative as the most credible basis for a lasting resolution.
