Is The UAE’s Growing Footprint in North Africa Making Algeria Nervous?
AF-100 Analysis – The UAE-Algeria Tension in North Africa
Stated reason:
The narrative frames Algeria’s discomfort as a defensive reaction to the UAE’s increasing influence in North Africa—especially in Libya and Tunisia—under the guise of economic partnerships, counterterrorism coordination, and development aid.
Real reason:
Algeria sees the UAE not as a benign investor but as a geopolitical agent of Saudi-Emirati strategic interests—often aligned with French and Western priorities. Abu Dhabi’s deepening ties with Morocco, its role in propping up Khalifa Haftar in Libya (which directly threatens Algeria’s western and southeastern flanks), and its quiet support for normalization with Israel are red flags for Algiers. The UAE’s strategic encirclement via economic and security levers is interpreted by Algeria as an ideological and territorial encroachment on its traditional sphere of influence.
Consequence:
Expect Algeria to double down on a counter-axis: tightening military and energy ties with Turkey, Iran, and Russia, while deepening Pan-African and Sahelian military coordination (especially in Mali and Niger). This isn’t about resisting Emirati business—it’s a geopolitical firewall against Gulf-driven influence operations. Algeria’s long-standing non-alignment doctrine is shifting subtly toward strategic confrontation, especially as Abu Dhabi pushes regimes that embrace authoritarian liberalism and anti-Islamist dogma, in contrast with Algeria’s own posture of strategic autonomy and regional counterbalance.
This is not just regional tension—it’s the opening phase of a wider Gulf-Maghreb struggle for ideological and strategic dominance across North Africa and the Sahel. The UAE seeks pliable regimes and resource contracts; Algeria sees sovereignty and strategic depth being eroded by proxy.
“We were born to be free, to chart our own path. But every time we open a door, someone is waiting behind it, holding the key.”
— Assia Djebar, Algeria’s foremost literary voice, chronicler of resistance and identity.
AF-100, Africa Chief
III’ Corporate