The support of France, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, for Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara is one of Morocco’s important diplomatic successes, which is reflected in the latest report of the UN Secretary General , António Guterres, on the Sahara.
He also notes the opening of a Chadian consulate in Dakhla, which strengthens international recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the territory. The Polisario Front and Algeria officially protested these developments to the UN.
Among the reactions in the media and on social networks, the economist Jaf Kech offers a summary of the report, taken up by many political and social leaders.
He noted that Mr. Guterres also mentioned the new initiative of King Mohammed VI aimed at facilitating access of Sahel countries to the Atlantic Ocean thanks to Moroccan infrastructure. He highlighted Morocco’s continued efforts in economic development, particularly in the field of renewable energy, infrastructure (ports, roads) and commercial activities. On the other hand, the Polisario rejected what it considers to be an “imposition of reality” on the ground.
Political process:
No significant changes in the positions of the parties involved were observed. Morocco continues to reject any negotiations outside of its autonomy plan and demands Algeria’s participation in the talks. Algeria, for its part, continues to deny its role as a party to the conflict, despite recent tensions with France over its support for Morocco’s autonomy plan. Mauritania deplored the negative impact of the conflict on Maghreb integration and reaffirmed its position of “positive neutrality”. The Polisario remains firm in its rejection of any solution that does not lead to a referendum on independence.
Military situation:
The report confirms that the Polisario Front continues to launch rockets into the Moroccan Sahara, with the Royal Armed Forces (FAR) reporting 164 attacks to the UN mission (MINURSO), 75% of which were concentrated in the Mahbes region. However, MINURSO noted that most of these shells fell in uninhabited areas, causing minimal damage. This independent verification contradicts Polisario claims that the attacks were successful.
The report also mentions attacks targeting civilians, particularly in Smara and Auserd, and mentions that the Polisario did not respond to MINURSO’s questions on these incidents. Morocco, for its part, has started building new military camps in the region for the first time since 1991, with four camps around Mahbes and two more near Auserd. In addition, Morocco carried out airstrikes east of the defense wall, causing material and human losses, according to MINURSO.
The report reveals that the Polisario prevented MINURSO from accessing areas affected by these attacks and refused to interview the injured, whom it says were gold prospectors, thus preventing MINURSO from confirming or denying the Polisario assertions.
Operational and logistical activities:
MINURSO has made more than 9,000 visits to the west of the defense wall without observing any exchanges of fire, which again undermines the Polisario’s claims regarding daily clashes. On the other hand, the Polisario continues to restrict the movements of MINURSO east of the wall, authorizing only one monthly deployment within a radius of 20 kilometers. Helicopter flights remain banned by the Polisario.
The Royal Armed Forces’ report of 14 cases of enemy drones flying over their positions is a worrying development, suggesting that Algeria (and perhaps other international actors) may have begun supplying drones to the Polisario and even operate on them directly.
The military chief of MINURSO met three times with the chief of staff of the southern zone in Agadir, and seven other meetings took place in Guelmim, Laayoune and Dakhla. However, the mission was unable to meet any member of the Polisario military leadership.
Résumé :
- – The report highlights Morocco’s diplomatic victories, in particular France’s support for the autonomy plan.
- – He discredits the Polisario’s exaggerated claims about the effectiveness of its attacks against the Moroccan army. – He revealed the construction by Morocco of new military camps.
- – He confirmed that the political process remains blocked.
- – He underlined the lack of cooperation of the Polisario with MINURSO, both logistically and militarily.
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