Polisario threatens to pull out of UN Sahara talks, accuses envoy of bias
Published Updated By Regional Desk
Polisario warns of possible withdrawal
Polisario threatens to reconsider its cooperation with the UN peace process over Moroccan Sahara, accusing the secretary‑general’s personal envoy Staffan de Mistura of abandoning neutrality while seeking to settle the long‑running dispute over the territory. In a press statement released Tuesday in New York, the movement said de Mistura had weakened his role as an impartial mediator by backing autonomy as a foundation for future talks, a stance it said mirrors Morocco’s position on the territory. The Western Sahara issue has remained a focal point of North African geopolitics for decades.
Envoy’s autonomy endorsement criticised
The statement followed remarks de Mistura made during closed consultations of the UN Security Council on Oct. 8 concerning the MINURSO mission. The Polisario argued that his support for autonomy compromises the impartiality required of a UN mediator.
Resolution background and Polisario response
The statement comes almost a year after the Security Council adopted Resolution 2797 on Oct. 31, 2025, which called for negotiations based on Morocco’s 2007 autonomy plan and renewed the MINURSO mandate for another year. The Polisario had rejected the resolution before its adoption, saying it would not take part in talks founded on proposals it believes undermine the Sahrawi people’s right to self‑determination.
Earlier proposal and UN outlook
On Oct. 20, 2025, Polisario leader Brahim Ghali submitted an expanded proposal to UN Secretary‑General António Guterres, stating that the front remained ready for direct negotiations with Morocco under UN auspices and without preconditions. After the Council’s vote, de Mistura said the United Nations would ask the parties to submit proposals and suggestions to help shape an agenda for direct or indirect negotiations, adding that Morocco’s autonomy plan would serve as the basis for the talks alongside Morocco’s expanded plan, the Polisario Front’s proposal and other ideas.
