Algerian diplomat and former ambassador Amar Belani has expressed concerns over the US approach to resolving the Western Sahara conflict, which prioritizes a solution based on Morocco's autonomy plan under Moroccan sovereignty. In a recent article, Belani stated that the US approach is flawed, as it seeks a rapid solution that may not be acceptable to the Sahrawi people. He emphasized that a solution imposed or predetermined will not be accepted by the Sahrawi people.
Belani noted that the current diplomatic dynamic, which began with the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2797 and three rounds of discussions, has entered a delicate phase. Despite US efforts to accelerate a political settlement, deep divisions between Morocco and the Polisario Front persist, and tensions on the ground complicate the search for a compromise. Belani warned that pressuring the Polisario Front or excluding it from the process could have significant risks and undermine the chances of a durable peace.
As a seasoned diplomat familiar with the Western Sahara dossier, Belani emphasized that the Polisario Front is recognized by the UN as the representative of the Sahrawi people in the conflict resolution process. He stressed that marginalizing the Polisario Front would jeopardize the political conditions necessary for a lasting peace. Belani argued that a compromise requires genuine negotiations between the parties, without predetermined outcomes or coercion.
Belani highlighted that the UN efforts are the only framework that can lead to a just solution and that a serious diplomatic relaunch requires preserving this multilateral framework. He expressed concerns that the upcoming UN Security Council resolution on Western Sahara, expected on October 31, 2026, may entrench Morocco's autonomy plan as the sole basis for the political process. If so, this would mark a worrying turning point.
Belani distinguished between considering Morocco's initiative as a basis for negotiation and making it the only option, excluding substantial discussions on the modalities of a settlement in line with the principle of self-determination recognized by international law. He warned that if the Security Council resolution imposes a predetermined outcome, it would risk emptying the political process of its substance and compromising the conditions for a compromise.
The Algerian diplomat emphasized that the future of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) is a central issue. Despite its limitations, MINURSO remains an important device for monitoring the situation and preventing tensions. Belani cautioned that any reduction in its capabilities or questioning of its presence must be evaluated in light of the risks of a security vacuum, loss of transparency, and increased incidents.
Recent statements by Massad Boulos, the US President's senior adviser for Africa, Arab affairs, and the Middle East, have been perceived by Rabat as a reversal of the US administration's stance and a challenge to its support for Morocco's plan to settle the Western Sahara issue. Boulos suggested that a solution to the conflict should recognize the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination, sparking concerns among those who advocate for a settlement that respects international law.
Key points
- Algerian diplomat Amar Belani criticizes US plan for Western Sahara, citing concerns over predetermined outcome and exclusion of Sahrawi people.
- US approach to Western Sahara conflict prioritizes Morocco's autonomy plan, which may not be acceptable to Sahrawi people.
- Future of UN Mission for Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) is a central issue in resolving the conflict.
