Several speakers before the United Nations General Assembly's Fourth Committee have warned of links between the Polisario Front and terrorist groups operating in the Sahel and Sahara regions. They argue that these connections pose significant risks to regional security and stability. The warnings come as US lawmakers pursue legislation that could lead to the designation of the Polisario Front as a terrorist organization.
During the session in New York, speakers raised concerns about the humanitarian situation in the Tindouf camps in southwestern Algeria. They warned that limited opportunities for young people and alleged ideological indoctrination could increase their vulnerability to extremist recruitment. Souleymane Satigui Sidibe, president of the Sahel Institute for Research and Analysis for Conflict Transformation, highlighted the growing attention in the US to the links between the Polisario Front and extremist groups.
Sidibe pointed to bipartisan legislative efforts in the US Congress, where Republican and Democratic lawmakers have introduced bills seeking to designate the Polisario Front as a terrorist organization. Around 20 members of the US House of Representatives and Senate have taken part in these efforts, which are based on evidence of the movement's involvement in activities that threaten regional stability. The proposed legislation cites cooperation between the Polisario Front and Iran-backed groups.
Mohamed Ziad Al Jabari, representing the Moroccan-Palestinian Friendship Association, raised concerns about the recruitment of Polisario members by extremist organizations operating in the Sahel. He referred to Adnan Abu Walid al-Sahrawi, the former leader of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara, who was killed by French forces in 2021 and had previously been associated with the Polisario Front.
Abdul Basith Pattinathar, representing the World Humanitarian Drive, called on the international community to pay greater attention to the links between separatism, terrorism, and cross-border crime in vulnerable regions. Al Jabari and Amal Jbour, speaking on behalf of the Jordanian Philosophical Association, also emphasized the need to protect humanitarian areas from militarization, exploitation, and extremist influence.
US lawmakers have introduced bills that would require the US government to designate the Polisario Front as a Foreign Terrorist Organization if it has cooperated with Iranian-affiliated terrorist organizations. The Polisario Front Terrorist Designation Act of 2026 was introduced in March by Republican Senators Ted Cruz, Tom Cotton, and Rick Scott. A similar bipartisan initiative was introduced in the House of Representatives in July.
The proposed legislation seeks to impose sanctions on the Polisario Front if its cooperation with Iranian-affiliated terrorist groups is confirmed. The bills would require the US Secretary of State to assess whether the Polisario Front has received or provided military support, weapons, drones, air-defense systems, or intelligence to Iranian-affiliated terrorist organizations.
Key points
- US lawmakers pursue legislation to designate Polisario Front as a terrorist organization
- Speakers warn of links between Polisario Front and Sahel terrorist groups
- Humanitarian situation in Tindouf camps raises concerns over extremist recruitment
