The ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD-9) exposed the growing diplomatic isolation of Algeria in its campaign to force the participation of the Polisario Front in international events.
Despite not being officially invited,the self-declared SADR representative- using Algerian travel documents like all Polisario separatists- attempted to place a nameplate at the conference table.
Japan,which does not recognize the polisario,swiftly reaffirmed its position and clarified that no invitation had been extended to the separatists. The move was widely seen as a breach of protocol and a deliberate provocation.
The SADR figure had entered the venue as part of Algeria’s official delegation,a tactic increasingly used to circumvent host countries’ restrictions. Analysts say this reflects Algeria’s strategy of forcing Polisario participation through backdoor channels,often in defiance of international norms.
However,TICAD-9 underscored the limits of this approach. The SADR’s presence was rejected,and the episode drew attention to Algeria’s diminishing influence in shaping global narratives around the Sahara issue.
Similar sidelining of the Polisario has occurred at other major summits,including the Africa-Russia Summit and the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit,where organizers chose to engage only with internationally recognized governments.
It has become clear that Algeria’s objective in pushing for Polisario’s participation through backdoors is not genuine diplomatic engagement,but rather the creation of photo opportunities to circulate among disillusioned supporters.
These staged appearances,often lacking any formal recognition or participation,are used to project an illusion of legitimacy and international support,masking the growing isolation on the global stage of Algeria and its Polisario puppet.
United News - unews.co.za