The categorical refusal displayed by the Polisario Front barely conceals the internal tensions sparked by Resolution 2797. Caught between the fear of American sanctions and pressure from Algiers, the leaders of the movement are seeking a way out of the crisis without publicly abandoning their rhetoric of resistance.
On the Sahara issue, the Trump administration is pushing for the resumption of negotiations involving Morocco, Algeria, the Polisario Front, and Mauritania. This condition was reiterated on Monday, November 3, by Massad Boulos.
On Saturday evening, Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita discussed the diplomatic negotiations that took place prior to the adoption of Resolution 2797 by the United Nations Security Council. This resolution extends the mandate of MINURSO and reaffirms the framework for the political process concerning the Sahara.
On the eve of the UN Security Council meeting dedicated to discussing MINURSO’s mandate, the Polisario Front sent a letter to the Council’s president expressing its firm rejection of the U.S. draft resolution, describing the text as a «serious and unprecedented deviation» from the principles of international law.
The United States has submitted a draft resolution to the UN Security Council supporting Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara, increasing pressure on the Polisario Front and Algeria to resume negotiations. While the text is backed by Western powers, Algeria is counting on a possible Russian veto, despite recent diplomatic tensions between Algiers and Moscow.
Risking the ire of Algeria and the Polisario, Staffan de Mistura has called for the resumption of the Round Table process, which has been stalled for several years. The UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Western Sahara also urged Algiers to take a constructive role by encouraging the Polisario Front to pursue a political and diplomatic resolution to the conflict.