Relationship dossier
Algeria
Western Sahara
Relationship assessment
Algeria is a longstanding supporter of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic and Sahrawi self-determination.
Algeria toward Western Sahara
+75Algeria recognized the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic in 1976, hosts Sahrawi refugees and institutions near Tindouf, and has provided political and material support for Sahrawi self-determination.
Western Sahara toward Algeria
+45Sahrawi authorities maintain a close partnership with Algeria, whose recognition and support underpin the SADR’s diplomatic and political position. Sahrawi institutions also operate in coordination with Algerian authorities around the refugee camps near Tindouf.
Overall relationship
+65The enduring relationship is a close, asymmetric partnership centered on Algeria’s recognition and support of the SADR and Sahrawi self-determination. Algeria’s hosting of Sahrawi refugees and institutions adds a sustained practical dimension. The unresolved status of Western Sahara remains central to the relationship.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Algeria has long supported Sahrawi self-determination and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), which claims sovereignty over Western Sahara. It recognized the SADR in 1976, has hosted Sahrawi refugees and institutions near Tindouf, and has provided political and material support. The relationship is a close but asymmetric partnership, shaped by Algeria’s backing of the Sahrawi cause and the unresolved status of the territory.
Key developments
Algeria recognized the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.
Algeria has hosted Sahrawi refugees and institutions near Tindouf, supporting their continued presence and operations.
Major uncertainties
- The scope and implementation of Algeria–SADR bilateral agreements are unclear.
- The extent of current Sahrawi institutional coordination with Algerian authorities is unclear.