Western Sahara: At a time of decision, the UN is called upon to integrate the Sahrawi Movement for Peace as a central player
- International consensus on Moroccan autonomy
- The credibility of the UN put to the test
- The Sahrawi Movement for Peace: a new Sahrawi legitimacy
- A moment of truth
As pressure mounts on the UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy, Staffan de Mistura, to realign his efforts with the growing consensus in favor of Morocco's proposed autonomy plan, a new political reality is emerging: that of the Sahrawi Movement for Peace (MSP), now an indispensable key player in the process.
International consensus on Moroccan autonomy
The recent meeting between De Mistura and the US senior advisor for African affairs, Massad Boulos, in New York marked a decisive turning point. Washington has unequivocally reaffirmed that “genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the only viable solution.” This position, inherited from the Trump administration's strategic decision to recognize the Moroccan character of the Sahara, remains fully endorsed and reinforced by the current US administration.
The alignment of France, the United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal, most Arab countries, and a growing number of African states reflects a clear international dynamic. Faced with this massive support for the autonomy plan, Algeria and the Polisario Front appear increasingly isolated. The era of rigid frameworks and illusions of a referendum seems to be over, giving way to a more pragmatic approach that is more in line with current geopolitical realities.
The credibility of the UN put to the test
For De Mistura, the situation is a diplomatic crossroads. His attempt to revive the option of partitioning the territory, deemed unrealistic and described by Rabat as “non-starter,” has tarnished his credibility. Morocco has reaffirmed that its sovereignty over the Sahara is non-negotiable, definitively closing the door to any solution that fragments its territorial integrity.
At the same time, MINURSO is facing unprecedented opposition. Influential voices, particularly within American think tanks such as the American Enterprise Institute, are denouncing a “failed peacekeeping mission,” accused of artificially prolonging the conflict and fueling Algeria's strategy of keeping Sahrawi refugees in the Tindouf camps. Some are even calling for the funding of the mission to be reduced or even withdrawn, arguing that it runs counter to the spirit of the Abraham Accords.
The Sahrawi Movement for Peace: a new Sahrawi legitimacy
It is in this context of restructuring that the Sahrawi Movement for Peace (MSP) is asserting itself as a credible and representative alternative. Born out of a desire to break with the militaristic and authoritarian impasse imposed for decades by the Polisario Front, the MSP embodies a free, peaceful Sahrawi voice focused on reconciliation.
At its second congress in Dakar, the MSP presented a set of pragmatic proposals for a lasting political solution. These resolutions emphasized the need for greater autonomy, guaranteeing the cultural, political, and economic rights of the Sahrawi people, while remaining within a framework of regional stability.
Through its statements, the movement has insisted on the right of the Sahrawi people to be fully involved in shaping their own future, rejecting the logic of exclusion and monopoly claimed by the Polisario. It thus positions itself as the new legitimate belligerent, promoting a project of peace and development, where others are locked into a strategy of sterile confrontation.
A moment of truth
As the Security Council prepares to decide on the future of MINURSO, a key question arises: is the UN ready to adapt to the new geopolitical reality and recognize the plurality of Sahrawi voices? Ignoring the MSP would be tantamount to denying the existence of an emerging social and political force that is gaining legitimacy and advocating for peace and reconciliation.
For De Mistura, integrating the Sahrawi Peace Movement into the process could be an opportunity to restore his credibility and give new impetus to UN mediation. Because beyond slogans, it is in taking into account the real aspirations of the Sahrawis that the key to a lasting solution lies.
Ghaillani Hamoud, Mauritanian analyst