In a significant development, the US administration under President Donald Trump has conveyed a clear message to the Polisario Front, emphasizing that a solution to the Sahara conflict is within reach. During a meeting at the UN headquarters in New York, US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz told a Polisario delegation, led by Mohamed Yeslem Beissat and Mohamed Salem Ould Salek, that the refugees in Tindouf camps have been waiting for 50 years and deserve real choices.
The message, posted on social media, underscores the US stance that the base of a solution is already on the table, which is widely interpreted as support for Morocco's autonomy plan. This plan was endorsed by the UN Security Council in Resolution 2797, adopted on October 31, 2025, as the basis for negotiations. The resolution bolstered Morocco's position in the conflict resolution process, dealing a blow to the Polisario Front's claims.
By highlighting the plight of refugees in Tindouf camps, Washington is shifting the debate to a sensitive area for Algeria and the Polisario Front. The refugees have been living in chronic limbo for nearly five decades in camps located on Algerian territory. The US administration stressed that these populations cannot continue to wait indefinitely and must be given genuine choices about their future.
The meeting between Waltz and the Polisario delegation appears to have served as a reminder to the separatist group about the US stance on the conflict. The Polisario Front had sought a possible shift in the US position, but instead, Waltz's message reinforced the autonomy plan as the foundation for a solution. This development is seen as a significant setback for Algeria, which has been supporting the Polisario Front's right to self-determination.
The timing of the meeting is crucial, coming just days before a UN Security Council meeting on the Sahara issue. The Trump administration seems to be taking a more proactive approach to resolving the conflict, which has been a major point of contention in the Maghreb region. By emphasizing that a solution already exists, the US is putting pressure on all parties to work towards a resolution.
The Algerian diplomacy had been trying to gauge Washington's intentions in recent weeks, but the meeting with the Polisario Front has clarified the US position. While Washington remains open to dialogue with Algeria, it appears to be pushing for a solution based on the autonomy plan. This approach is seen as favorable to Morocco, but Algeria will need to reassess its stance on the conflict.
The next steps will be crucial in determining the outcome of the conflict. The discussions around the UN Security Council and the Polisario Front's response to the US message will be closely watched. The key question is whether the US message will lead to concrete progress in resolving the Sahara conflict, which has been ongoing for decades.
Key points
- The US supports Morocco's autonomy plan as the basis for a solution to the Sahara conflict.
- The US emphasized the need for genuine choices for refugees in Tindouf camps.
- The development is seen as a setback for Algeria's support of the Polisario Front's right to self-determination.
