The Sahara conflict has been a whirlwind of events since October 2022. From international disputes to allegations of terrorism, the Sahara issue continues to be complex and full of surprises. Here’s a roundup of some of the recent events in the world of the Sahara conflict.

• Last year, the UN peacekeeping mission Minurso faced a significant setback when all 2,407 of its requests to visit key Polisario Front headquarters were denied. This development underscored the longstanding challenges in accessing crucial areas within the Sahara and maintaining direct communication.

• The Western Sahara Campaign UK (WSCUK) took legal action by filing a complaint in the British High Court against the UK-Morocco trade agreement. They argued that the deal was struck without obtaining the consent of the Western Sahara’s population. The request was rejected and the Agreement’s validity was upheld covering all regions of Morocco without exception.

•  In anticipation of a high-level meeting with Morocco, Spanish President Pedro Sanchez decided to exclude ministers affiliated with the pro-Polisario Podemos party from his delegation. The move aimed to avoid potential disruptions and reflected Spain’s desire for a productive dialogue with Morocco.

•  Sahrawi petitioners before the United Nations General Assembly’s Fourth Committee accused Algeria of obstructing UN efforts and prolonging the Sahara dispute. 

• Sahrawi women, including Khadijtou Mohamed, bravely testified before the European Parliament about the sexual violence and rape they endured in the Tindouf camps. 

•  The UN Security Council held closed-door consultations on the Moroccan Sahara issue, focusing on Polisario’s violations and obstructions. 

• The Colombian Senate expressed strong opposition to President Gustavo Petro’s decision to re-establish diplomatic relations with the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR). 

• The Polisario Front disrupted electricity supply to Tindouf camps, preventing residents from watching a key Morocco vs. Spain soccer match. 

•  Former US Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich urged accountability for Algeria’s support of the Polisario Front, citing concerns about regional instability and illicit activities.

• Foreign ministers from various African nations called for the expulsion of the Polisario Front from the African Union, emphasizing the entity’s lack of legal status within the continental alliance. 

•  A US report highlighted the increasing threat posed by Iranian drones to Morocco, with indications of Tehran deploying these drones through its Algerian ally. The report connected Iran’s support for the Polisario separatists with this growing security concern.

• The EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, rejected a proposal to create a dedicated division to address the Sahara issue, stating that developments in Western Sahara were being monitored within existing structures, leading to no planned organizational changes.

• An official from the MINURSO mission dismissed the possibility of a Western Sahara referendum and warned against Algeria’s escalations. The official highlighted MINURSO’s crucial role in maintaining stability between Morocco, the Polisario Front, and Algeria.

• The UN observer mission, MINURSO, succeeded in entering the eastern part of the sand wall after years of obstruction by the Polisario separatists. This development followed consultations with the Polisario Front and Morocco.

•  Moroccan researchers exposed severe human rights violations in Polisario camps’ prisons, particularly against Moroccan female detainees. The study shed light on the harsh conditions faced by detainees, revealing testimonies of those who had fled Polisario prisons.

• The Spanish National Court sentenced a Sahrawi man to prison for terrorist indoctrination, citing his involvement in spreading jihadist propaganda and expressing hatred for Spain.

• Spanish Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Luis Planas dismissed the Polisario’s attempts to negotiate “fishing licenses” with Canary Islands shipowners. Planas emphasized that the fishing agreement was exclusively between Morocco and the European Union.

• Israel officially recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara in a letter from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to King Mohammed VI. Israel pledged to reflect this recognition in all relevant government actions and transmit it to international organizations, including the United Nations.

• Unofficial contact between Spain and Morocco concerning the co-management of Sahara’s airspace were confirmed by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. While details were not provided, discussions regarding the airspace issue are ongoing.

• The UK parliament expressed concerns over the presence of Iranian drones among Polisario separatist groups in Eastern Sahara. MPs called for sanctions against Iran have risen highlighting the potential destabilizing impact on regional and global stability. 

•  Brahim Ghali, the leader of the Polisario Front, attended the BRICS summit in Johannesburg. This occurred after Morocco declined to attend, reflecting strained relations between Morocco and South Africa. Ghali’s presence was seen as a diplomatic development.

• Four armed separatists were killed early September near Morocco’s security barrier. They were eliminated by a drone strike as they approached Moroccan army positions. Morocco, while committed to the cease fire, retains the right to respond forcefully to security threats. 

• Staffan de Mistura, the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for the Sahara, arrived in Laayoune to initiate consultations on the conflict. His visit is part of preparations for his report to the UN Security Council in October, and he plans to engage with all parties involved.

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