The Algerian Minister of Commerce and Export Promotion appeared to disregard the existence of the «SADR» among the members of the African Union. Tayeb Zitouni, former president of the National Democratic Rally (RND, government majority), stated during a public meeting that his country was among «the first of the 54 member states of the African Union to call for the creation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)». The Algerian minister's remarks sparked anger among Polisario supporters, expressed in audio messages broadcast on social networks. It is worth mentioning that Algerian authorities do not recognize passports issued by the Polisario, as evidenced by the experience of Sahrawi lawyer Haddamin Mouloud Said at the port of Mostaganem in December 2023. Said is known for his defense of Polisario's positions at international conferences and through articles. Algerian courts also do not recognize travel authorizations issued by the Polisario. In June 2021, the Algerian authorities required residents of the Tindouf camps wishing to travel outside the area to obtain a «mission order» issued exclusively by the Algerian governor of the Tindouf wilaya. This decision renders null and void the «authorizations» for travel previously granted by the Polisario «Ministry of the Interior». It took 45 years after its creation on Algerian territory, on February 27, 1976, for an Algerian president to accept receiving the credentials of the Sahrawi ambassador. This occurred during an official audience granted on July 26, 2021 in Algiers by Abdelmadjid Tebboune to Abdelkader Taleb Omar. Algeria does not have an ambassador to the SADR.
