Algiers hinders the fight against terrorism

The latest report from the U.S. State Department on global terrorism unequivocally points to Algeria for its role as an obstacle to efforts in combatting terrorism in the region, said  the professor of international relations at the University Mohammed V-Agdal, Tajeddine El Houssaini on Wednesday.
 
Citing the report, Mr El Houssaini recalled that "the fight against terrorism in the region remained without effect for lack of a final settlement of the Sahara issue, due to the negative role of Algeria militarily and diplomatically supporting the "Polisario" and home to its territory. " For this expert, "the persistence of Algiers in  its position still stands as an obstacle, as it uses the Sahara issue as  diplomatic, political and economic  leverage to implement its hegemonic ambitions in the region and weaken  Morocco ".
 
According to the same university, several studies have shown that there are many links between former members of the "Polisario" and terrorists operating in the Sahel and Sahara. There is cooperation particulalry hostage taking and smuggling.
 
Professor El Houssaini stressed that "the settlement of the Sahara issue is in the hands of Algeria", provided that it demonstrates political will. "The military in Algeria begins to realize that the neighbourhood is a regional asset to this country and that Morocco remains an important player in the region," he said, estimating that Algiers will in effect be against of the choices of the peoples of the region, the intellectual elite and civil society in both Algeria and Morocco.
 
In its 2011 annual report on terrorism released Tuesday in Washington, "the U.S. State Department says that the conflict between Morocco and Algeria over the Sahara issue continues to draw in obstructing counter-terrorism cooperation in depth regional scale. "