This week, Ambassador Staffan de Mistura, the United Nations special envoy, arrived in the Western Sahara region, with Laayoune anticipated to serve as the regional capital for the first time since his appointment at the close of 2021. His program includes a series of planned visits across the territory, though specific meetings and dates have not been disclosed. The United Nations frames the mission as a chance to engage all stakeholders ahead of the secretary-general’s report to the Security Council in October. In the United States and Canada, observers are watching closely how the mission aligns with the broader aim of restarting a political process that can lead to stability and a durable settlement in Western Sahara. The visit is framed as part of a consultative phase intended to surface views from all sides before the council reviews the latest developments.
Earlier, a trip to the Sahara was halted in 2022 due to Moroccan opposition, which maintains strong control over much of the area. De Mistura has stressed ongoing outreach with all parties about advancing the political process and pursuing constructive progress in negotiations. In recent days, Moroccan media reported continued engagement in the south, including meetings with regional officials in Dakhla, tribal leaders, and leaders of local non-governmental organizations, reflecting a broad effort to gather perspectives from diverse communities involved in or affected by the stalemate.
Reports indicate that de Mistura held discussions with the Moroccan representative in Rabat before continuing to El Ayoun. A diplomatic source confirmed the engagement to a regional news agency, and Moroccan media suggested additional meetings in Rabat with senior government officials. The envoy’s schedule has also included talks with representatives from Mauritania, Algeria, and Sahrawi refugee camps in Tindouf, as part of a wider effort to consult neighbors and stakeholders about the status of the UN mission for Western Sahara. The October Security Council report will assess MINURSO and the latest state of the political process in the region, a report of interest to policymakers and publics in Canada and the United States who seek clarity on regional stability and international diplomacy.
Criticism of Polisario
The Polisario Front described the current situation as unusual, arguing that UN envoys should not need permission from Morocco to visit Western Sahara. In a statement, independent Sahrawi voices noted that the military presence around occupied Sahrawi cities has intensified, with more police and security forces deployed during the envoy’s visit. Critics argue that such measures complicate genuine dialogue and raise questions about the path to a lasting political settlement. For observers in North America, these developments underscore the fragility of negotiations and the importance of transparent, inclusive dialogue that can gain wider international support and trust.
The envoy’s tour comes shortly after Joshua Harris, the United States’ Middle East and North Africa adviser for diplomacy, visited the Tindouf refugee camps and met Brahim Ghali, the Polisario Front’s secretary-general. The delegation’s message underscored support for the UN political process and a commitment to seeking an honorable and lasting solution for the people of Western Sahara, as conveyed in a post on the social platform X. This sequence signals a regional emphasis on diplomacy that resonates with audiences in Canada and the United States who watch for steady, principled engagement and respect for international procedures.
Drone attack
Beneath the diplomatic surface, Sahrawi sources say the conflict has continued to flare. Polisario-affiliated outlets describe the breach of the existing truce as ongoing hostilities that preceded Morocco and the Sahrawi community’s current standoff. Local media in the region reported recent fatalities among Polisario forces, including a commander, in clashes with the Moroccan army in northern Western Sahara. The reports indicate that Moroccan forces used aerial capability in the operations. The deaths were attributed to a drone engagement according to Sahrawi and Moroccan press coverage that echoed the claims of the combat incidents. The ongoing clash underscores the sensitive security environment that shapes political calculations and humanitarian concerns for people in the region and observers watching the situation from Canada and the United States.
Related posts:
Algeria Eyes Renewed Western Sahara Negotiations with UN Envoy EU-Morocco Western Sahara Dispute: Fishing, Trade, and Autonomy Contention (Polisario Front) Spain, Sahara, and the Polisario Front: A Left-leaning stance in flux Diplomatic shifts in Western Sahara: US, UN pursue referendum and negotiated paths Staffan de Mistura’s Western Sahara visit underscores ongoing diplomacy Security Council eyes MINURSO extension amid Western Sahara tensions Sahrawi Struggle, Identity, and the Quest for Self‑Determination Morocco Expands Partnerships Amid Sahara Diplomacy United States and Western Sahara: Navigating a Complex Diplomatic Landscape Shaia Beiruk on Autonomy and Peace in Western Sahara UN extends Minurso mandate in Western Sahara amid debates and renewed calls for rights monitoring Historical Contexts of Western Sahara: Zemla, Basiri, and the Struggle for Self-Determination