MADRID (AP) — Spain’s economy minister on Monday linked Algeria’s decision to break a decades-old friendship treaty with Spain that has frozen economic links with what she described as the North African country’s increasing alignment with Russia. The move was seen as retaliation after Madrid came out in support of Morocco’s attempts to keep Western Sahara under its rule. Algeria supplies 23% of Spain’s gas needs. Industry Ministry figures show Spain exported 2 billion euros ($2.1 billion) in goods to Algeria last year while its imports were valued at nearly 5 billion euros. Spain was the colonial power in Western Sahara until it was annexed by Morocco in 1975.

Source: The North Africa Journal June 13, 2022 14:40 UTC