Rabat — The Polisario Front is attempting to intensify efforts to seek refuge and political leverage within the African Union (AU) following the historic adoption of UN Resolution 2797.
The separatist group, backed by Algeria, appears to now renew its lobbying campaign within the AU in hopes of challenging the momentum Morocco’s Western Sahara position has gained, especially following the new resolution, which reaffirmed the growing international backing for the Autonomy Plan.
Bankole Adeoye, the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, shared on Monday photos showing him meeting with a delegation from the separatist group.
On X, Adeoye said: “Pleased to receive, today, H.E. Lamine Yahyaoui, Ambassador/PR of SADR to the AU.”
He suggested that the meeting sought to explore “recent developments on the Western Sahara issue, particularly the adoption of UNSC Resolution 2797, and the role of the AU in the search for lasting and just peace in the region.”
Adeoye’s post does not reflect the AU’s own official positions and repeated resolutions, which affirm that the Western Sahara issue falls exclusively under the mandate of the UN.
In 2018, the AU adopted Resolution 693, recognizing the central role of the UN Security Council in diplomatic efforts in Western Sahara. The resolution reaffirms AU’s support for the ongoing UN-led political process to find a mutually acceptable solution to end the regional dispute, a position that Morocco repeatedly backs.
The North African country has, for years, thwarted actions from pro-Polisario African states, influenced by the separatist group and encouraged by Algeria, to seek AU intervention in the dispute.
Such dynamics and hostile maneuvers were particularly visible during Morocco’s previous absence from the AU — a 32-year-period marked by one-sided initiatives.
The landscape shifted decisively in 2017 when Morocco returned to the African body, restoring its pan-African position and reaffirming the UN’s exclusive leadership over the political process.
A losing battle
Algeria and Polisario received a major setback on October 31, when the UN Security Council officially endorsed Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as a genuine political framework to end the dispute.
It also identified the main parties to the dispute, citing Algeria’s regime, which for years refused to shoulder its responsibility, claiming it’s merely an observer.
Such claims persist, despite Algiers’ direct involvement in hosting, financing, arming, and supporting Polisario’s independence claims in Western Sahara.
The resolution came as a breakthrough and a diplomatic victory as it seeks to not only end separatism but also restore peace and security to the region.
Polisario has for years posed threats, with many reports suggesting their involvement in illicit crimes, including drug trafficking and terrorism.
The separatist group has launched terrorist attacks and thwarted attempts in Morocco’s southern provinces on multiple occasions, as a part of their consistent threats to undermine the security and stability of the region.
The group’s serious illicit activities have caught the attention of global actors, even outside the region. Earlier this year in June, US Congressman Joe Wilson submitted a bill to Congress to label the Polisario as a terrorist group.
