Algerian appointment of Western Sahara envoy angers Morocco

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune last week announced the creation of several new diplomatic roles, including the position of Western Sahara and Maghreb envoy, angering Morocco. 

The new envoy has been named as Amar Belani, who previously served as Algeria's ambassador to the EU in Brussels, and as the spokesperson for the Algerian Foreign Ministry.

According to local Algerian outlet Echorouk Online, Belani will be working, with a lawyer for the Polisario Front, to seek the cancellation of two fishing and agricultural treaties between Morocco and the European Union. 

Belani has previously described the agreements as "illegal" and as giving legitimacy to Morocco's "occupation" and "illegal exploitation" of the Western Sahara.

Belani's appointment was seen as a further provocation for Morocco, which has previously been angered by his comments regarding their claims to the Western Sahara. 

During his time in Brussels, Belani said that EU officials were working with Morocco, to the detriment of stability in north Africa. 

The appointment comes ahead of a judgement by the European Courts of Justice, who are currently discussing a controversial fishing agreement, which allows Rabat to export goods from Western Sahara, that are contested by the Polisario Front. 

The final ruling is expected by the beginning of October, and it is thought that the court will favour the Polisario's claims. 

Morocco has previously said that it will reject "this judicial harassment" and defend "the legitimacy of its partnership" with Europe.

Relations between Algeria and Morocco were severed at the end of August, when Algeria accused Morocco of being responsible for the wildfires that swept through the country's Kabylie region earlier in the month. 

Morocco denied the accusations and expressed regret over Algeria's decision.