The UN warns about the situation in the Tindouf camps and urges the parties to end the conflict in Western Sahara
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warns in his annual report on the humanitarian crisis of those held in Tindouf, urging the parties concerned to move towards a final solution
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres presented his annual report to the General Assembly, in accordance with resolution 79/98, in which he reviews and assesses developments in the regional conflict in Western Sahara.
The report analyses the political process led by the United Nations to find a unanimous political solution; developments on the ground; the activities of the United Nations Mission in Western Sahara (MINURSO); the humanitarian situation and human rights in the Tindouf camps; and efforts to combat mines and remnants of war in the region.
In this context, Guterres expressed his deep concern about the continuing tensions and low-intensity clashes between Morocco and the Polisario Front. This situation is unacceptable to the UN Secretary-General, who has warned of the danger posed by the prolongation of the conflict, which is now approaching fifty years.
Humanitarian crisis in Tindouf
The report by the UN Secretary-General highlights the humanitarian situation in the Tindouf camps, emphasising the continuing suffering of refugees as a result of lack of funding and the absence of confidence-building measures, which have been stalled for years.
This situation, which is a consequence of the suspension of confidence-building measures established in previous Security Council resolutions, is one of the points on which the report places particular emphasis, as it not only worsens living conditions in the camps but also hinders family contacts.
According to the UN document, there were reports of continued clashes near the Mahbas area and shelling and rocket fire near the town of Es-Smara, as well as alleged air strikes behind the defence wall that killed 11 people from Mauritania, Mali and Sudan.
Guterres reported that, despite the relative improvement in movement east of the defence wall, several challenges remain for MINURSO's supply and logistical support operations.
In this regard, the report highlighted the need for estimated funding of $103.9 million for 2025, clarifying that ‘the decline in funding affects the entire population, especially children and women who suffer from malnutrition to varying degrees, lack of primary education and youth support programmes’.
The novelty of the report lies in the fact that the donor mission, which visited the camps last May, included for the first time the participation of the private sector, with the aim of diversifying sources of funding.
However, Guterres noted that confidence-building measures have not yet resumed, in accordance with Security Council resolution 1282 of 1999 and subsequent resolutions, which hinders family reunification between refugees and their communities of origin in the region.
Moving towards an agreement
For the UN Secretary-General, the current situation urges all parties to intensify efforts to avoid an escalation and move towards a final agreement to resolve the Western Sahara dispute, affirming that the international community must support this process, which seeks to end a long-standing conflict that continues to cause instability and suffering in the region.
On the 50th anniversary of the conflict, Guterres reiterated the urgency of reaching a political solution, praising the commitment and dedication of Staffan de Mistura and MINURSO head Alexander Ivanko, who are working in challenging conditions.
The annual report on the situation in the Sahara presented to the General Assembly is a reference document whose content will enrich diplomatic discussions within the Fourth Committee, where the positions of the parties to the conflict and member states converge.
It is also an important stage for the compilation and assessment of political developments in the Sahara file ahead of the opening of the 80th session in September.
In its review and reassessment of these political developments, the report explains that the UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy, Staffan De Mistura, had intensified his contacts and communications with the parties involved, including Morocco, the Polisario Front, Algeria, Mauritania, as well as the members of the Security Council and the Group of Friends of the Sahara, during 2024 and 2025.
According to the report, De Mistura visited Rabat, Nouakchott, the Tindouf camps and Algiers, and held meetings with senior officials in Brussels, Berlin, Paris, Rome, Ljubljana, London and Washington.
As a result of his consultations, De Mistura submitted two reports to the Security Council, in October 2024 and April 2025, respectively, which received broad support from the member states of the International Council.
The UN Secretary-General concluded his report by emphasising that ‘it is more urgent than ever to reach a political solution, calling for more efforts to step up actions and accelerate initiatives to resolve this conflict once and for all.’