On Friday evening, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune gave a 75-minute interview to local media. In a rare departure from his usual rhetoric, he made no mention of Western Sahara, though he did speak of Algeria's relations with its «neighbors». He highlighted strong ties with Mauritania, Tunisia, and Libya, but avoided any reference to the Polisario. In past interviews, Tebboune has consistently reaffirmed Algeria's backing of the Sahrawis. During a televised appearance on July 17, for example, he declared: «I will not abandon the Sahrawis to satisfy some and thus become an imperialist. Who will I lose by continuing to support Western Sahara?» He further claimed that «Western Sahara is recognized by half of the African Union members» (in reality, less than a third, editor's note) and that «55 states recognize the Sahrawi Republic» (in fact, only about half that number, editor's note). The same day, across the Atlantic, a special advisor to former U.S. President Donald Trump restated Washington's support for Morocco's position. After a meeting with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, the advisor underlined «the United States' support for Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara and its autonomy plan as the only basis for a just and lasting resolution of the conflict». This line echoes Trump's own message to King Mohammed VI on August 2, sent for Throne Day, in which he reaffirmed: «The United States of America recognizes Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara and supports the Moroccan Autonomy Proposal, deemed serious, credible, and realistic, as the sole basis for a just and lasting settlement of this dispute».
