Mohamed bin Zayed’s UAE takes a softer tone after Algeria cuts ties amid years of tensions over Morocco and Israel, says it hopes split is “temporary”
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has expressed hope that Algeria’s decision to sever diplomatic relations will be temporary, while reaffirming its commitment to maintaining ties with the Algerian people.
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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has expressed hope that Algeria’s decision to sever diplomatic relations will be temporary, while reaffirming its commitment to maintaining ties with the Algerian people.
- Algeria has severed diplomatic relations with the UAE, accusing Abu Dhabi of 'provocative and hostile' actions.
- The UAE expressed hope that Algeria’s decision will be temporary and reaffirmed its commitment to the Algerian people.
- Algeria has begun restricting UAE-registered aircraft from its airspace, but commercial flights are allowed until 2026.
- The UAE calls for dialogue and clarity in diplomacy, maintaining its interest in a resolution and positive relations with Algeria.
Business Insider Africa had earlier reported Algeria’s decision to cut ties with the UAE after Algiers accused Abu Dhabi of taking what it described as “provocative and hostile” actions.
Algeria said it had exhausted all avenues to preserve relations before ordering the UAE ambassador to leave the country within 48 hours.
The Algerian Foreign Ministry said the UAE’s actions had reached a point where they could no longer be considered acceptable or tolerable between the two countries.
Following the announcement, Algeria also moved to restrict UAE-registered aircraft from using its airspace, although commercial flights between the two countries were exempted until the end of 2026.
Responding to the diplomatic fallout, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it hoped Algeria’s decision would be temporary and stressed the importance of preserving relations between the two countries.
“The UAE remains committed to preserving and strengthening these ties and shared interests,” the ministry said.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) affirms the UAE’s appreciation for the brotherly Algerian people and its pride in the bonds that unite the two peoples, particularly through the Algerian community residing in the UAE and Algerian visitors,” it added.
DON'T MISS: Algeria cuts diplomatic ties with UAE after years of rising tensions
Western Sahara dispute deepens divisions
The diplomatic crisis follows years of growing disagreements between Algiers and Abu Dhabi over regional politics and alliances.
A major source of friction has been the Western Sahara dispute, where the two countries support opposing sides.
Algeria and the UAE have also been divided by the Western Sahara dispute, with Algiers backing the Polisario Front, which seeks independence for the territory, while Abu Dhabi supports Morocco’s sovereignty claim and has opened a consulate there.
The two countries have also taken opposing positions on Israel, with Algeria rejecting normalisation while Morocco and the UAE established diplomatic relations with Israel in 2020 under the US-brokered Abraham Accords.
Their differences have extended to the Sahel, where the UAE has expanded ties with several governments while Algeria’s relations with some southern neighbours have weakened following military coups.
Relations deteriorated further last year when Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said Algeria maintained “brotherly” relations with Gulf states including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar, but singled out another country without naming the UAE.
Tebboune accused the unnamed country of interfering in Algeria’s internal affairs and seeking to destabilise it.
He later made direct criticisms of the UAE, referring to it as a “micro-state” or “statelet”. Abu Dhabi has denied the allegations.
UAE calls for diplomatic clarity
Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, said diplomatic relations should be managed through dialogue and clear interests.
“Diplomatic relations are managed through reason, communication, and clarity of interests, not through puzzles and signals that require decoding,” Gargash said.
He added that “ambiguity is not a policy” and said successful diplomacy required clear positions and careful management of differences.
Before the diplomatic break, Algeria had already started the process of ending the Air Services Agreement with the UAE, signed in 2013.
Despite the dispute, Abu Dhabi said it remained committed to preserving relations and hoped the crisis could be resolved through dialogue.
