Former Pentagon adviser urges recognition of the MSP as the legitimate representative of Western Sahara
Middle East expert and former Pentagon adviser Michael Rubin has once again spoken out on the Western Sahara conflict in an extensive interview published by the newspaper Maroc Hebdo. Rubin reiterated his position that the main powers interested in a solution to the conflict - including the United States, Spain and France - should recognise the Movement Saharawi for Peace (MSP) as the legitimate and democratic representative of the Saharawi people.
Rubin recalled the recent position announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and harshly criticised the Polisario Front, which he described as a ‘vestige of the Cold War’. In this regard, he stressed that the Polisario ‘has never been elected by the Sahrawi people, nor have they had the opportunity to vote for their representatives’, and advocated granting this role to the MSP, especially after its recognition by the Socialist International.
In his analysis published by the American Enterprise Institute on the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), Rubin predicted its imminent end, asserting that ‘the United States’ willingness to fund peacekeeping operations will depend on their effectiveness.’ He noted that budget cuts in Washington could severely affect missions considered inefficient, such as MINURSO.
In addition, Rubín emphasised the importance of including Sahrawi tribal leaders in the political solution process, suggesting that Morocco should draw inspiration from the Kurdish model for the future self-government of Western Sahara, a reference also included in the roadmap announced in Dakar at the end of 2023 during the Second International Conference for Dialogue and Peace.
The MSP welcomes the positive momentum following the Security Council meeting and calls for its inclusion in the political process
At the same time, the General Assembly of the Movement Saharawi for Peace (MSP) met on 26 and 27 April in Madrid to analyse the latest developments, particularly following the recent UN Security Council meeting on Western Sahara.
The Assembly welcomed the holding of the Third International Conference for Dialogue and Peace, held in Las Palmas (Spain) on 27 February, highlighting the level of organisation, the high international participation and the significant presence of prominent Sahrawi tribal leaders, most of whom expressed their support for the MSP, thus consolidating the Movement's growing legitimacy.
It also underlined the favourable impact of the admission of the MSP to the Socialist International, which has strengthened its diplomatic action and international presence. In this context, the Assembly expressed its satisfaction at the growing number of voices, both within and outside the UN, calling for the recognition of the MSP as the true democratic representative of the Sahrawi people.
On the other hand, the MSP General Assembly also urged the UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, to include the MSP in the political process, criticising his insistence on dealing only with the Polisario Front. This position, they denounced, constitutes an ‘obstacle’ to the negotiated solution demanded by the international community.
As for its future agenda, the Assembly announced the launch of new activities to disseminate the results of the Third International Conference and strengthen its organisational structure, particularly in the Sahrawi refugee camps. It also expressed concern about the progressive deterioration of living conditions in the Tindouf camps, warning of the growing activity of drug mafias and the Polisario's inability to guarantee security.
Finally, the proposal to postpone the Second Congress of the MSP until after October 2025 was ratified, with a commitment to set up a preparatory committee for its convening.
