Algeria has informed the UN Security Council of its opposition to the round table format for negotiations on resolving the Sahara problem, which it considers “counterproductive,” according to a senior Algerian official.

Morocco and the Polisario Front separatists, as well as Algeria and Mauritania, are participants in the Security Council-recommended round table arrangement.

“We confirm our formal and irreversible rejection of the so-called Round Table format”, which has become “counterproductive”, declared to the official APS news agency Amar Belani, Algerian special invoy in charge of the question of western Sahara and the Maghreb countries.

Belani further accused Morocco of “instrumentalizing” this format to oppose Sahara “decolonization,” warning of “severe risks of escalation” in this “War situation.”

By the end of October, the United Nations Security Council must adopt a new resolution on the Sahara and the mandate of MINURSO, the UN Mission for the Organization of a Referendum in Western Sahara.

Belani called the first draft of the new resolution “extremely imbalanced,” thinking it will “only sanction a predetermined standstill in the political process and foreshadow the failure of the new UN invoy’s efforts.”

In early October, the United Nations named experienced diplomat Staffan de Mistura as the new invoy for this crisis, despite the fact that UN-sponsored talks had been stalled since spring 2019.

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Spanish journalist Patricia Medjidi Juez condemned, on Tuesday, the inhumane living conditions and ordeal endured by the people detained in Tindouf camps, confirming the involvement of “Polisario” leaders in diverting the humanitarian aid intended for these residents.

In a statement on the sidelines of a national symposium held in Agadir on the subject of “Moroccan Sahara: the historical and political roots of the conflict and the path towards a solution”, Juez considered that the leaders of the Polisario do not want to reach a settlement of the conflict over Sahara, noting that she noticed during a visit to Tindouf camps that people are not benefiting from international humanitarian aid and are suffering from starvation.

While the inhabitants of the southern regions of Morocco lead a decent life, work and live like any other citizen in the world, the camp population faces extremely difficult conditions and suffers from all kinds of deprivation, famine and extreme poverty.

On the other hand, the journalist emphasized that Polisario leaders do not wish to engage in efforts to find a settlement to the conflict over the Sahara because such a settlement would not serve their personal interests, explaining that the settlement of the problem would put an end to the privileges they enjoy, including the embezzlement of humanitarian and financial aid that they receive from international NGOs, especially from Spain.

“I think this situation must be condemned clearly and categorically,” she said. “The Polisario front cares only about its own interests. I believe that the international community is aware of this situation”, considering that the opening of consulates in the southern provinces of Morocco by a number of foreign countries is like a message addressed to the Polisario and an invitation to support Morocco’s efforts aimed at finding a permanent solution to this conflict.

The journalist also refuted the allegations made by Polisario separatists about the human rights situation in the southern provinces of the Kingdom. In this context, she emphasized that during her visit to the region, she noticed that Sahrawis lead a normal life like everyone else.

In this regard, Juez invited people to visit the southern provinces of the Kingdom as well as Tindouf camps, to closely get acquainted with the reality on the ground and see firsthand the living conditions of people in both sides.

This symposium, organized in attendance and through visual debate, at the initiative of the “Moroccan Sahara Association”, included a group of professors, researchers, politicians and media professionals from various regions of the Kingdom, in addition to former Polisario leaders who returned to their homeland.

It is noted that discussions during this symposium dealt with a number of themes, including “the historical roots of the Algerian position against the territorial integrity of Morocco since the beginning of the conflict until now”, “Moroccan political parties and the national cause”, “Moroccan political parties and developments of Moroccan Sahara issue”, “Morocco and its serious involvement in settling the file and the importance of the autonomy initiative to fold the fabricated conflict over the Sahara”…etc.

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Morocco has strengthened its international presence by opening foreign diplomacy representations in Moroccan Sahara; last of which is the Republic of Suriname.

According to the separatist Front’s spokesman in Europe, Abi Bouchraya Al-Bachir, the Red Cross’s delegation visit to the southern provinces left the Polisario angry, which led them to send a letter to the president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Peter Maurer, expressing their disapproval.

In this “protest letter”, the Polisario expressed its “astonishment” at what the delegation of the ICRC had done, and demanded “clarifications” about the role that the Committee intends to play in the Sahara.

The meeting of the Red Cross delegation with local officials and civil society activists in Laayoune, sparkled the Polisario’s fury, expressing their “astonishment” at seeing an institution the size of the International Red Cross operating in the Sahara without informing members of the front.

Morocco has strengthened its international presence by opening representations for foreign diplomats in southern provinces, the last of which is the Republic of Suriname, which decided to open a consulate in the city of Dakhla, in support of Morocco’s sovereignty over Sahara.

The Algerian President, Abdelmajid Tebboune and his Foreign Minister, had previously exerted pressure on African countries, to the point of calling some presidents, in order to thwart the inclusion of the Sahara file within the council’s duties.

The Algerian proposal was in the end rejected, and therefore the Sahara file remains an exclusive prerogative of the United Nations.

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According to MAP, Russian news agency “RIA FAN” has confirmed that the “artificial” conflict over Moroccan Sahara has been “settled”, claiming that the international community supports Morocco’s full sovereignty over the Sahara.

Vladimir Sharapov, author of the article, said that the Separatist Polisario Front “is not in a position to enter into confrontation with the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces”, adding that “Polisario’s propaganda is nothing but an attempt to attract attention.”

He added that the fake news reported by the Polisario on the situation in Moroccan Sahara, including the “resumption of war”, “is nothing but exaggerated statements”, stressing that the separatists are not capable of confronting the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces, as an “an open confrontation will end in a total defeat for the separatists.”

In opposition to the separatists’ claim, “many countries have opened diplomatic representations in the Sahara region, and France, which is in favor of a just solution, is not opposed to autonomy in the Sahara, an initiative presented by Morocco to achieve a settlement of the conflict”, noting that only the Polisario, Algeria and South Africa have expressed discontent over the matter.

It should be recalled that Morocco has presented since 2007 an official Initiative for Autonomy in Moroccan Sahara, which constituted a real desire on the part of Morocco to put an end to the artificial conflict over the Saharan matter. This was welcomed by many international and regional bodies which saw in this initiative a bold and logical solution to defuse the crisis.

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Amid recent clashes over Moroccan Sahara, Separatist Polisario Front has yet again attempted an attack on the Moroccan defense wall in Mahbes— Moroccan Sahara town close to the Algerian border.

An exchange of gunfire erupted between Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces (FAR) and separatist Polisario Front after armed Polisario militiamen drove a military vehicle along the defense wall in an attempt to attack it.

Morocco and separatist Polisario face-off led to the complete destruction of Polisario’s armed vehicle and the death of the militiamen on board.

In line with separatist Polsiario’s provocations, Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces seized weapons belonging to the Front east of the security wall, reported FAR MAROC.

According to the same source, “For more than two weeks, there has not been any provocations from the hostile Polisario militias. There has also not been any financial or human casualties affecting the Royal Armed Forces.”

The situation in Guergeret is under Morocco’s control since the 13th of November. Mauritania is also curbing the Front’s movements, preventing it from entering its territory, said FAR Maroc.

The events follow the US recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara as of Thursday, December 10.

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Washington – Earlier this month, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was asked a direct question about the U.S. administration’s stance on Morocco’s recent ‘skirmishes’ to clear out Guerguerat crossing from separatist Polisario Front’s protestors. 

Mr. Pompeo was also asked what his personal opinion was in dealing with the issue that’s been creating a security threat in the area for a long time.

To that, Mr. Pompeo answered with the following statement: 

“Well look, we’ve put a statement about Morocco – our policy hasn’t frankly changed very much from where we were six months or even 24 months ago. We hope that Moroccans can find a way through this. We, just like in most conflicts in the world – our view is that it ought not be resolved through military means but through a set of conversations that can deliver good outcomes.”

Pompeo also reiterated that President Donald J. Trump is always trying to put American civilians and military personnel out of harm’s way. And for that, the Trump administration is putting a lot of its focus on diplomacy and is trying as hard as his administration can to solve all problems through diplomatic channels instead of military solutions.

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Algeria, the Polisario’s main supporter against Morocco, feels disappointed as the country sought to gain Nigeria’s support concerning the Saharan matter. A Maghrebian website indicated that the Algerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sabri Boukadoum’s recent visit to Nigeria did not result in any progress with regard to the longest conflict in Africa.

Separatist Polisario Front seeks the independence of Moroccan Sahara, a vast desert area that Morocco owns since Spain’s withdrawal in 1975, and considers it an integral part of its territory.

Morocco says that the only political solution that can be suggested is autonomy. On the other hand, the Polisario Front, and its ally Algeria expressed their disapproval, saying that they want to hold a referendum, with the independence of Moroccan Sahara being one of the options.

According to the North Africa Post, Boukadoum was hoping to gain some Nigerian support in reference to Algeria’s anti-Moroccan stance, “but he returned empty-handed, with the exception of some words on paper related to projects that Nigeria and Algeria did not show any real interest in.”

Algerian media outlets, such as their official news agency and An-Nahar Journal, described the visit as a start, and an opportunity to shed light on the Saharan issue, in view of recent developments.

The Moroccan army launched an operation earlier this month to secure commercial and civilian traffic in Guergarat crossing border; truck drivers use this route to transport goods from Morocco to Nigeria and some other African countries.

It must be stressed that Algeria was the only Arab country to condemn the measures taken by Morocco at the crossing border.

The Algerian News Agency claimed that Boukadoum discussed with his Nigerian counterpart the Saharan issue, as well as the situation in Mali and the bilateral cooperation.

However, the North Africa Post said that the News Agency of Nigeria did not mention anything related to the Saharan issue, and only discussed a set of bilateral projects, including the revitalization of the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline, which has been forgotten since Nigeria and Morocco agreed to build a gas pipeline.

The North African Post website also added that Nigeria did not issue any response regarding Morocco’s military intervention at the crossing border of Guergarat.

According to the same website, Nigeria used to be Polisario’s ally, but after King Mohammed VI’s visit to Abuja and a similar visit by Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari to Rabat in 2018, Morocco and Nigeria came close to forming an alliance based on mutual respect and win-win partnerships.

But last February, Buhari received the alleged “ambassador of Western Sahara to Nigeria,” and confirmed the renewal of his country’s “firm and supportive stance in support of the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination,” as reported by the Sahara Press Service.

So far, around 16 African countries, in addition to the UAE, have opened consulates in Western Sahara, located in southern Morocco. Jordan, Bahrain and Haiti also revealed their plans to open consulates there in the near future.

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The position of the Spanish government on the question of the Sahara “always remains unchanged” because it is a “state policy”, said the Spanish Foreign Minister, Arancha Sanchez Laya.

“In a coalition government like ours, there can be different opinions and different sensitivities. However, our position on the Sahara issue remains unchanged. This is a “state policy”, underlined Mrs. Sanchez Laya who was the guest of a program on the Spanish national radio (RNE) on Thursday.

The foreign policy of Spain is set by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in coordination with the president of the government who are responsible for the countries’ external relations, observing that the position of Spain on the question of the Sahara “is constant and has not undergone any change”

Mrs. Gonzalez Laya noted that the position consists of “full support” for the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, in order to ensure the continuity of the ceasefire” in the Sahara and to advance “a political negotiation leading to a political, comprehensive, fair and permanent solution, in line with the relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council”

“For Spain, the important thing is the resolutions of the United Nations. The last one, in October of this year, clearly expresses the parameters of this negotiation,” clarified Ms. Sanchez Laya.

In this sense, she had indicated to have transmitted, herself, this position during “numerous contacts maintained in recent days with Morocco, Mauritania, Algeria and the Secretary-General of the United Nations, to promote this path of dialogue”.

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Nouakchott has not acknowledged or supported the efforts of the separatist “Polisario” front as they had left “Polisario” representative hanging for days before being received.

After waiting for so long to be received by Mauritanian President and only after special mediation from Algeria, the President of the Republic of Mauritania, Mohamed Ould Sheik Al-Ghazwani, has finally decided to receive the so-called Foreign Minister of the Separatist front “Polisario”, Mohamed Salem Ould Salek.

In its report on this meeting, the Mauritanian News Agency has not released any details of negotiations about the regional situation and the question of  Guerguerat Crossing or ceasefire agreement by separatist “Polisario”. They have only mentioned that separatist chief, Ibrahim Ghali, has sent Muhammad Ould Sheik Al-Ghazwani a written letter. They have also issued a short press release of Ould Salek.

This shift in Mauritania dealing with Separatist “Polisario” had taken place after His Majesty King of Morocco Mohamed VI and President of Mauritania Mohamed Ould Sheik Al-Ghazwani discussed recent developments in the region and how to improve political, economic, and security bilateral cooperation between the two brotherly countries. They had also tackled the ramifications of the blockade of Guerguerat Crossing by Separatist Polisario and and how it had negatively affected the Mauritanian economy and people.

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Casablanca – A delegation from the National Association of Media and Editors (NAME) paid a visit to Guerguarat border crossing on Saturday, in support of the Royal Armed Forces (RAF) and their efforts to guarantee security and stability in this region of the Moroccan Sahara.

The purpose of the trip was to express the NAME’s attachment to the territorial integrity of the Kingdom and recognition for the sacrifices of the RAF who, after having long shown restraint and patience, put an end to the actions of separatist Polisario having blocked the free movement of people and goods with Mauritania for more than three weeks, the Association said in a statement on Sunday.

The delegation, led by NAME President Abdelmounaïm Dilami, saw firsthand the normal return of flow at the crossing, where “it has received testimonies of satisfaction, both on the Moroccan and Mauritanian sides, as to the ‘firm intervention by the RAF, on the high instructions of His Majesty the King, to restore the situation,’ underlines the same source.

The members of the delegation “also noted the nature of the objects abandoned on the spot by the separatists after their escape which tells a lot about the present and future situation of separatist “Polisario” perfectly aware that they have committed suicide in Guerguarat”, continues the press release.

The visit is part of the frame of reference fixed by the NAME since its creation by stipulating that “the profession of journalism goes hand in hand with the defense of the great causes of the Kingdom in a clear, courageous and unequivocal manner, at their head the question of the territorial integrity and the Moroccan character of the Sahara, which constitutes a sacred value for all Moroccan women and men ”.

In a statement to the press, the president of NAME expressed the feelings of pride and enthusiasm of the delegation to be present in this part of the national territory, noting that the members of the Association, as well as all media professionals, show a deep desire to visit the region and strongly support the action of the RAF to free and secure the border crossing.

And to continue: “We were impatient to arrive at the station. We had a particular feeling during this special trip, with sublime objectives and which offered the opportunity to show our unfailing support to our Royal Armed Forces and to all those who hold their positions in the region ”.

“The place seemed completely secure to us, in the absence of any sign of any danger,” assured Mr. Dilami, who was accompanied by Bahia Amrani, Brahim Mansour, Driss Chahtane and Mokhtar Laghzioui.

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