Iran seeks to rebuild ties with Africa amid tensions in the Middle East

In late November 2024, a delegation from Iran visited Algeria and Tunisia as part of efforts to enhance Iran's presence in Africa. The visit was led by Ibrahim Azizi, head of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of the Iranian parliament, and included Iran’s ambassador to Algeria, Mohammad Reza Babai. This diplomatic mission comes in the wake of strained relations due to Iran's past involvement in the Algerian Civil War, which remains a sensitive topic among the Algerian populace. The Iranian delegation aimed to discuss initiatives aimed at strengthening bilateral relations amidst regional tensions. The visit followed Algeria’s assumption of a non-permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council in January 2024, a position influential for Iranian interests. Algerian government officials presented this meeting as an opportunity to discuss cooperation on regional and international matters, though underlying distrust remains due to Iran's historical support for insurgency movements during Algeria's civil conflict in the 1990s. In Tunisia, the Iran delegation viewed recent developments with President Kais Saied as a way to leverage relationships with Northern Africa. Saied's visit to Tehran earlier and his express interest in joining coalitions with countries that align politically with Iran have opened a dialogue characterized by mutual interests, especially against perceived Western hegemony. Saied's administration has taken a more confrontational stance towards Israel, reflecting some alignment with Iran's foreign policy narratives. Overall, the Iranian delegation's visit signifies Tehran's strategic pivot towards Africa, amid a backdrop of fragile relations with both Algeria and Tunisia. The engagement seeks to solidify new diplomatic channels as Iran attempts to mitigate the fallout from its regional conflicts, particularly the impact of its proxy involvement in Gaza. However, the historical sensitivities and current geopolitical dynamics may pose challenges to achieving substantial progress in these relations.