A fresh controversy has emerged ahead of the race for the presidency of the Pan-African Parliament, following remarks by Algerian contender Fateh Boutbig describing Algeria as “almost a European country.”

The comment has drawn sharp reactions across diplomatic and political circles, raising questions about Algeria’s positioning within the African continental agenda at a time it is actively campaigning for top roles within the African Union system.

Boutbig, considered one of the leading candidates for the PAP presidency, remarked in a context that observers say reflects a broader narrative among some Algerian officials who often highlight proximity to Europe as a marker of economic and developmental progress.

The statement has, however, triggered criticism from analysts who argue that such positioning could undermine confidence in Algeria’s commitment to advancing African integration and identity.

The controversy is further deepened by Algeria’s ongoing efforts to expand its economic footprint across the continent while simultaneously promoting its national products in European markets through officials like Kamel Rezig.

Political observers say the mixed messaging risks portraying Algeria’s African engagement as strategic rather than ideological, especially at a time when the Pan-African Parliament is expected to play a stronger role in shaping continental unity and policy direction.

“The leadership of the Pan-African Parliament requires a clear belief in Africa’s potential,” a regional policy analyst noted. “Any suggestion that progress is measured by proximity to Europe could weaken a candidate’s standing among member states.”

Boutbig’s opponents are already seizing on the remark, framing it as evidence that his political outlook may be more aligned with external benchmarks than with Africa’s development priorities.

The Pan-African Parliament, as the legislative arm of the African Union, plays a key role in promoting democratic governance, integration, and cooperation among member states. Its leadership contest is often closely watched as a reflection of broader geopolitical alignments within the continent.

As campaigning intensifies, Boutbig’s comment is likely to remain a focal point in debates over identity, loyalty, and the future direction of Africa’s continental institutions.

Dakar and Rabat have longstanding ties, but relations have been strained since the Africa Cup of Nations final, which Senegal won in mid-January before being stripped of the title, which was transferred to Morocco.

Now the AFCON trophy is something of a thorn in the two countries’ sides.

On Rue Mohamed V, the street where Moroccan vendors are based in the Senegalese capital, a police van is parked.

“The police have been on high alert since the Confederation of African Football (CAF) decided to award the title to Morocco, but there have been no incidents,” a local resident told AFP.

CAF stripped Senegal of its title on March 17, over the team’s angry departure from the pitch after a penalty was awarded to Morocco late in second-half stoppage time.

In a photo the following day, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye was seen in his office with the trophy behind him.

Senegal has lodged an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) over the matter, and some fans have meanwhile called for a boycott of Moroccan goods.

On March 18, Dakar called for an international investigation into “allegations of corruption within the CAF leadership” in a statement that sent a chill through Morocco.

“An official (Senegalese) document mentioned corruption. It insinuates that Morocco is the corrupting influence without, of course, any evidence and this could have repercussions,” Morocco’s Aziz Daouda, a track and field official and former athlete, told AFP.

He added that “comments made by certain Senegalese football officials are damaging relations” between the two countries, referring to allegations that Morocco controls CAF.

‘Hostages’ of Morocco
 

One of Senegal’s points of contention is the detention of 18 Senegalese football fans in Morocco for more than two months now.

They were sentenced on February 19 to prison terms ranging from three months to a year for hooliganism.

Minutes before the end of the match, some Senegalese supporters attempted to storm the pitch while Senegal’s players halted the game for nearly 20 minutes in protest of the late penalty to Morocco.

The appeal hearing for the 18 fans was postponed for a second time on Monday until April 13.

Dozens of demonstrators in Dakar called for their release at the end of February, describing them as “hostages” of Morocco.

“One gets the impression that this affair goes beyond the realm of sport and that is regrettable. For two countries that claim to be friends, such as Morocco and Senegal, things should not have come to this,” Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko said in late February, lamenting the supporters’ convictions.

That said, Morocco’s relationship with Senegal is “unique, specific and extraordinary”, Senegal’s Director of Religious Affairs Djim Ousmane Drame said in a recent article.

“Morocco has always been the only (African) country with which diplomatic relations with Senegal are based on an emotional bond and popular appeal, beyond the institutions and bilateral ties,” Bakary Sambe of the Timbuktu Institute think tank told AFP.

Fez, for example, is a favourite destination for many Senegalese Muslim followers of Tidianism, an influential brotherhood in Senegal whose founder, Cheikh Ahmed Tidiane, is buried there.

Moroccan authorities meanwhile made no comment and “preferred not to get involved in this football affair” following the CAF decision, Daouda said.

Business, diplomacy partners
 

In late January in Rabat, Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch spoke of a “natural, lasting” relationship with Senegal where he said Morocco has invested more than $540 million.

Many Moroccan companies operate in Senegal, particularly in the food, pharmaceutical, energy, construction, mining, banking and insurance sectors.

On the international stage, the two countries’ diplomatic views are generally aligned.

Senegalese nationals constitute the largest group of foreign residents in the kingdom (18.4 percent), according to official figures, and a robust student exchange also exists between the two countries.

“There are many of us on both sides trying to calm down all those hotheads from both camps who enjoy spreading irresponsible claims, lots of ‘fake news’ and plenty of insults,” Daouda said.

Former Senegalese foreign minister Cheikh Tidiane Gadio wrote in early February that “a hundred minutes of football will never be able to ruin a thousand years of close ties between Senegal and Morocco”.

-AFP

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

The Republic of Mali has officially withdrawn its recognition of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), marking a significant shift in its foreign policy on the long-standing Western Sahara dispute.

The announcement was made in a government statement delivered by Mali’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Abdoulaye Diop, following a high-level meeting with Morocco’s Foreign Minister, Nasser Bourita, in Bamako.

According to the statement, the decision came “following a thorough review” of the Western Sahara issue, which Mali said has direct implications for peace and security in the sub-region. As a result, Bamako declared that it no longer recognises the SADR, a self-proclaimed state backed by the Polisario Front.

The visit of Bourita to Mali was undertaken under the directive of King Mohammed VI, reflecting Morocco’s sustained diplomatic push to consolidate support for its position on Western Sahara across Africa.

In a notable policy alignment, Mali expressed its support for Morocco’s autonomy proposal, describing it as “the only serious and credible basis” for resolving the dispute. The Malian government added that granting genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty represents “the most realistic solution” to the conflict.

Mali also reaffirmed its backing for ongoing international efforts to resolve the issue, including initiatives led by the United Nations. It specifically referenced support for the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy and the provisions of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2797 (2025), which addresses the situation in Western Sahara.

The Malian government stated that it would formally communicate its new position to regional and international organisations of which it is a member, as well as to members of the diplomatic corps accredited in Bamako.

Mali’s decision is expected to have wider diplomatic implications within Africa, where countries remain divided over the status of Western Sahara, one of the continent’s most enduring geopolitical disputes.