Polisario Front and Algeria reject US resolution on Western Sahara
- Reactions of the Polisario Front to the US resolution
- Details of the US draft on Western Sahara
- Position of Algeria and the Polisario Front on the US proposal.
- Analytical interpretations of the Polisario's position
- Pressure from the United States and political strategies in the conflict
Reactions of the Polisario Front to the US resolution
The Polisario Front, a group considered to be the armed wing of Algeria in the Western Sahara conflict, has sent a letter to Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, expressing its rejection of the leaked draft resolution on Western Sahara drafted by the United States and presented to the Security Council.
The US draft reinforces Morocco's Autonomy Plan proposal as the ‘basis for negotiation’, displacing the referendum option, and sets a limited deadline of January 2026. In addition, the draft includes economic incentives: the United States supports investment in territories under Moroccan control, and monitoring of human rights in the region appears to be reduced.
Details of the US draft on Western Sahara
The proposal was put back on the table by the current personal envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, during his closed-door briefing to the Security Council on 16 October 2024, but Morocco has once again ignored it.
In response, both Algeria and the Polisario Front warn that the position presented by the United States ‘violates the right to Sahrawi self-determination’.
Position of Algeria and the Polisario Front on the US proposal.
Analysts such as Bachir Edkhil interpret the communication sent by the Polisario as reflecting Algerian interests rather than those of the Sahrawi movement itself. This situation puts pressure on Algeria, which after decades of supporting the Polisario Front fears losing political and economic benefits in a conflict that has lasted for more than 50 years.
In this context, Washington is pushing for an end to the conflict through a quick solution. The White House is even considering the possibility of designating the Polisario Front as a terrorist organisation, which would be a strategic turning point for Algeria.
Analytical interpretations of the Polisario's position
Meanwhile, Morocco maintains a firm stance based on dialogue and the search for international support to mediate in the conflict. As its main project, Rabat is promoting the ‘Atlantic Initiative’, aimed at offering the countries of the Sahel and the African Atlantic coast access to the ocean and promoting economic agreements between the more than 14 countries that make up the region. This project could further isolate Algeria if it does not join it.
This tactic, in addition to consolidating Morocco's position, puts pressure on Algeria to reassess its continued support for the Polisario, as if it does not join this new proposal, it could find itself in a more isolated political position in which it loses internal influence in the Sahel region.
Pressure from the United States and political strategies in the conflict
The complex situation of the Polisario Front and the camps in Tindouf is also causing tensions at present: worsening living conditions, the need for international aid and diplomatic pressure are raising doubts about their ability to represent the community in the various dialogues.
Once the deadline for the draft has been set for January 2026, a step forward towards a solution can be taken.
Possible scenarios include: partial acceptance of the proposal, which could lead to concessions for Algeria; complete rejection of the proposal, which would lead to a diplomatic stalemate; or Morocco consolidating its position on the international stage, which could even shift the balance of power in the region and signify a significant change after more than fifty years of conflict.