The United States takes a firm step towards declaring the Polisario Front a terrorist group
The Polisario Front returns to the international stage following a letter sent to the US Congress by Republican lawmaker Joe Wilson, accompanied by his Democratic counterpart Jimmy Panetta, seeking to formalise the designation of the Polisario Front as a foreign terrorist organisation.
The main reason is its alleged alliance with actors dangerous to the security of the United States and North Africa, such as Iran and its proxies, led by Hezbollah, and Russia.
In a post on X, Wilson said the group is being used ‘as another cog in the Iranian machine’ to gain strategic presence in Africa. ‘It provides Iran with a foothold on the continent and destabilises the Kingdom of Morocco, a US ally for 248 years,’ the congressman denounced.
The Polisario is a Marxist militia backed by Iran, Hezbollah and Russia providing Iran a strategic outpost in Africa and destabilizing the Kingdom of Morocco, a U.S. ally for 248 years.
— Joe Wilson (@RepJoeWilson) June 26, 2025
Grateful to introduce bipartisan legislation with @RepJimmyPanetta to designate the Polisario… pic.twitter.com/ESQjgwefLo
If approved, this legislative manoeuvre will represent a significant change in US foreign policy towards North Africa, given that the White House considers Morocco's role to be crucial for international security.
Currently, the Polisario, backed by the Algerian military government led by Abdelmadjid Tebboune, the country's president, and Said Chengriha, chief of staff of the Algerian National People's Army, cannot be subject to sanctions. However, this situation could be coming to an end.
If the Polisario Front is added to the list of terrorist organisations, it will join the select group of organisations that are subject to sanctions, restrictions on economic support and diplomatic isolation. The Polisario Front would therefore be considered on a par with other organisations such as al-Qaeda, Hezbollah, ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) and the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia).
But beyond the formalities, this decision would send a clear message from the United States to the rest of the world: Washington will not tolerate its historical allies being held hostage by militias that serve interests outside the region.
Although confirmation by Congress and the Senate is still pending, the fact that the proposal is supported and promoted by the two main political parties in the United States is a clear sign of the growing consensus in Washington on the risks posed by the expansion of networks linked to Iran beyond the Gulf, and a further sign of support for its most important partner on the African continent: Morocco, with whom it cooperates on security and counter-terrorism.
