Russia caught in diplomatic tightrope between two North African superpowers

The balancing effort reflects Russia’s broader attempt to maintain its influence in North Africa while facing scrutiny over its Africa Corps operations in the Sahel.

At a press conference in Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov sidestepped a question from Algerian television anchor about alleged human rights abuses committed by Russia’s Africa Corps, formerly known as the Wagner Group, in Mali.

Instead of addressing the accusations, Lavrov redirected the discussion toward regional history.

“We know there are some tensions between our friends in Algeria and our friends in Mali,” he said. “These tensions go back to the colonial era when African borders were drawn artificially, without considering the residence of ethnic groups and communities.”

He compared the situation to Rwanda’s pre-genocide divisions, noting that “the Tuareg people in Algeria and Mali share the same fate, as colonial rulers ignored their distribution.”

Lavrov went on to accuse “former colonial powers” of fuelling instability in the Sahel for their own geopolitical interests, effectively turning the focus away from Russia’s military operations in the region.

An Algerian activist, posted: “Will Algiers summon the Russian ambassador to protest Lavrov’s comments or stay silent as usual? Russia’s ‘balancing act’ favors Morocco—another slap to our diplomacy.”

His remarks echoed broader sentiment that Lavrov’s deflection on Africa Corps, by blaming Algeria’s borders for Sahel instability, deepened the perceived slight.

Similarly, Mehdi Ag, an Algerian commentator, shared a clip of the exchange, writing: “Lavrov’s words on Touaregs and borders hit Algeria harder than the Sahara bit, critiquing our ‘intangibility of colonial frontiers’ exposes Sahel tensions.”

During the same briefing, Lavrov said Russia is ready to support Morocco’s Autonomy Plan for Western Sahara if all members of the United Nations Security Council agree.

“The Sahara issue, which has been on the table for 50 years, was initially heading toward a referendum, but the situation later changed,” Lavrov said. “The Moroccan proposal for autonomy falls within the framework of self-determination. This option can be a solution as long as it is provided for by the United Nations and in line with [UN] resolutions.”

He added, “If it is acceptable to everyone, it is acceptable to us as well.”

For several years, Moscow had maintained a cautiously neutral stance, often choosing abstention during votes related to the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO).

The tone adopted by Lavrov now reflects a methodical move toward implicit support for Morocco, aligning with the strategic partnership signed between King Mohammed VI and President Vladimir Putin in 2016.

Consequent to this diplomatic alignment, Morocco and Russia on Friday announced the signing of a new maritime fisheries cooperation agreement, replacing the previous deal that expired in 2024.

While Moscow has long sought to maintain neutrality between Algiers and Rabat, Lavrov’s remarks appear to have tilted diplomatic optics in Morocco’s favour, potentially complicating Russia’s historically close ties with Algeria.