[ecr]

Responding to journalists’ questions during a press conference dedicated to reviewing Algerian diplomacy in 2024, Attaf said that “the political and diplomatic solutions are the foundation for resolving conflicts in Africa, as demonstrated by historical experiences,” emphasizing that “the current tensions in the Sahel-Saharan region are not the first of their kind in the history of this region.”

Regarding Libya, Attaf said that there was, from the start, a consensus on the idea of organizing elections at all levels to resolve existing conflicts. However, immediately after the agreement, disputes emerged over who organizes the elections and who holds the necessary powers to organize these events, he noted, indicating that recent talks between the Algerian side and the interim UN envoy to Libya concerned this issue.          

Africans need a strong Commission to address the challenges facing the continent     

The Minister of State also discussed the issue of foreign interference in Libya, explaining that “it is the entanglement of local and external factors and political and geopolitical elements that have led Libya into deadlock, making this crisis intractable.”

As for the African presence within international organizations, Attaf emphasized that “all Africans need a strong Commission equal to the challenges facing the continent, because the goal is to present approaches and stances and provide precise answers to the questions posed to us, as was the case during the G20 meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which we attended for the first time.”

“Africa participated as a full member of the G20 and we had to present files containing clear demands, which was not done as planned, with members of this group having contacted Algeria to request clarification on our expectations as a member of this group,” he said. 

“The same goes for the United Nations Security Council, where there was an initial approval to grant Africa two permanent seats and two other non-permanent seats,” in addition to presenting perceptions regarding membership in the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, he said, emphasizing that “strengthening African presence within these two institutions requires our precision.”

Regarding Algeria’s candidacy for the position of vice-president of the African Union Commission, Attaf said that “Algeria is conducting preparatory work aimed at meeting all necessary conditions.” 

As for the Syrian file, the minister underscored that Algeria’s positions regarding Syria are clear and based on three principles, the first being that Syria belongs to all Syrians and that Syria’s future must be forged by all Syrians. 

The second principle relates to Syria’s territorial integrity and unity, in accordance with the guidelines of the President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, during his address to the Nation before the Parliament’s two houses, added Attaf. 

The third principle concerns the role of the United Nations as the most appropriate framework to supervise dialogue between Syrian parties, he concluded.

[/ecr]