Sahara: The Polisario delegation returns empty-handed from Washington

A delegation from the Polisario Front, led by its so-called «minister of foreign affairs», Mohamed Yeslam Beissat, met Thursday in Washington with an official from the Trump administration. Contrary to claims circulated by the Front’s media over the past two days, the meeting’s agenda did not include discussions on a self-determination referendum or the independence of Western Sahara.

A source close to the matter told Yabiladi, the American representative reiterated to the Polisario delegation that the only framework for negotiations remains the Moroccan autonomy initiative for Western Sahara, within Moroccan sovereignty, in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2797 adopted on October 31.

The US negotiator therefore dismissed any proposal that does not align with the Moroccan solution. Faced with this position, the Polisario delegation requested time to consult its leadership based in the Tindouf camps.

The Algerian presidential aircraft that transported the delegation from Madrid to Washington landed at Algiers airport. In the coming days, the Polisario is expected to provide an official response to the Trump administration’s proposal, following consultations with Algeria.