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Rabat – In addition to the US, the UN has confirmed that the latest discussions on Western Sahara in Madrid involved all four parties, including Algeria’s regime.
The confirmation countered narratives by Algeria’s affiliated media and international reports, claiming negotiations are taking place solely between Morocco and Polisario with the presence of Algerian delegations.
Responding to questions regarding the meeting, UN Secretary General spokesperson Stephane Dujarric reaffirmed that senior delegations from the UN and the US facilitated a discussion in Madrid with representatives of Morocco, Algeria, Polisario, and Mauritania.
The talks covered discussions regarding the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2797, adopted last year in October.
The resolution officially endorsed the Moroccan Autonomy Plan as the basis for negotiations to find a political and an agreed upon solution to the Sahara dispute.
Dujarric categorically emphasized that the UN would not disclose information about the meeting, but made clear that all four parties were involved, dismissing claims that it was bilateral talks between Morocco and Polisarro.
Morocco, and many observers – including within the Tindouf camps — reject the Polisario separatist group as a legitimate representative for Sahrawis.
Morocco has long argued that discussions should rather be with Algeria’s regime, which has been harboring, financing, arming, and supporting Polisario’s independence claims to challenge Rabat’s territorial integrity.
Despite its direct involvement, Algeria’s regime continues to proclaim itself as an “observer” to the dispute.
Adopting this narrative for years, Algeria’s regime hampers the UN-led political process and refuses to shoulder its responsibility in the Sahara dispute–suggesting a solution should be found between the Polisario and Morocco.
However, Resolution 2797 came to shatter Algeria’s unproductive attempts as it clearly and explicitly identified Algeria as a main party to the dispute.
At that time, UN Personal Envoy Staffan de Mistura said: “It’s a very detailed resolution – every word was carefully chosen and negotiated. There are several key points: The parties are clearly identified as Morocco, the Polisario, Algeria, and Mauritania.”
The resolution stressed the importance of Algeria’s involvement in upcoming discussions without preconditions or delay in order to facilitate a mutually agreed-upon political solution under Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as a basis for negotiations.
The text also puts an end to Algeria and Polisario’s outdated narratives and long-promoted claims of self-determination and referendum.
De Mistura, in his briefing following the adoption of the resolution, also recalled the importance of having all parties engaged in the process despite divergences in opinions.
“The resolution provides – and I stress this word – a framework for negotiations. It does not prescribe an outcome, which, to be sustainable, must be the result of negotiations conducted in good faith,” he said.
On Monday, the US also confirmed Algeria’s involvement in discussions that took place in Madrid.
Spanish news outlet, El Pais said the US has “imposed strict silence” and “utmost discretion” as an essential condition for holding a new round of talks.
The US recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces in 2020. Since then, the country has been firm in its position that the Autonomy Plan continues to be the only feasible framework able to end the dispute over Western Sahara.
