“It is time for U.S.A. to designate Algeria a State Sponsor of Terrorism”, Says Ex- U.S. Attorney General – The North Africa Post

Former Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich asked the U.S. to add Algeria to its State Sponsors of Terrorism List for the support given by the Algerian regime the polisario (a terrorist organization).

“Algeria must be held accountable for its support of the Polisario Front”, said the American attorney in a letter published lately in the Washington Times.

“For decades, Algeria, with the help of Iran, has provided military and material support to the Polisario Front, a terrorist organization that Algeria uses to destabilize neighboring Morocco”, underlined Mr. Mark Brnovich, who also served a U.S. prosecutor & judge.

He stated that Iran provides support for the U.S. and its Allies (in this particular case, Morocco), and noted that the Polisario Front has established an area there for gunrunning and other illicit activities while also forming ties to various terrorist organizations targeting Sahrawi citizens.

“It also foments corruption. A report by the European Anti-Fraud Office notes that between 2004 and 2007, the Polisario Front stole and misused international assistance designated for Sahrawi refugees”, said Mr. Brnovich, a Republican politician.

He cited in this regard, the State Department’s 2020 Country Reports on Terrorism which warned that the U.S. continues to address threats posed by state-sponsored terrorism, acknowledging the growing threat of the Islamic State in West Africa and the Sahel.

“As these state-sponsored terrorist groups continue to gain strength, they remain a persistent threat to us. With continued Algerian support, the Polisario Front will retain its fertile recruiting grounds in Sahara”, said the former U.S. Attorney General.

The case for Iran’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism has been clear for decades. Now, with all the evidence against Algeria for supporting the Polisario Front and other terrorist activities, it is time that the U.S. recognizes Algeria for what is.

The U.S. lists four countries as State Sponsors Of Terrorism: Iran, Cuba and Syria. U.S. laws penalize people and countries who trade with states that sponsor terrorism.

The U.S. has imposed sanctions on the designated state sponsors for terrorism. These sanctions include restrictions on U.S. aid; a ban against defense exports and sales; certain controls on exports of dual-use items; and miscellaneous financial or other restrictions.