Guterres report on the Sahara: New facts, limited hostilities, and advocacy for a political solution
The Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) presented a report on the Sahara issue to the General Assembly, noting that between July 2024 and June 2025, there were three new developments and low-intensity hostilities.
Antonio Guterres emphasized in this seven-page document that during this period, the situation in the Sahara was marked by tensions (…) between Morocco and the Polisario Front, Paris’ recognition of Rabat’s sovereignty over this territory, and the United Kingdom’s support for Morocco’s autonomy plan. The third “new development” is the ruling of the Court of Justice of the European Union on October 4, 2024, annulling the trade agreements between Morocco and the EU-27 on the grounds that the consent of the Sahrawi people had not been obtained. According to our information, a new agreement including the Sahara is currently being negotiated with the EU (see L’Economiste No. 6930 of January 17, 2025).
Situation on the ground
The shots described as low-intensity hostilities reported by the parties was mostly concentrated in the northern part of the territory, near Mahbas.
At the request of the Royal Moroccan Army and under its escort, the Mission continued to visit locations where shooting had allegedly occurred near the sand wall and, in most cases, observed traces of exploded artillery shells. Most of the firing verified by MINURSO landed in remote areas and did not cause significant damage.
On November 9, shots were reported in the town of Mahbas, not far from civilian commemorations organized on the occasion of the forty-ninth anniversary of the (1975) Green March. There were no casualties as a result of the shots that were fired. On November 11, MINURSO investigated the site of the incident and located the debris of four rockets. In a letter to the Secretary-General on November 12, the Permanent Representative of Morocco stated that Morocco reserved the right to take all measures it deemed appropriate to put an end to threats and attacks against its citizens, territorial integrity, and national sovereignty, in full compliance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.
Political process
During the period covered by the report, Staffan de Mistura, the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, held consultations with the various parties involved in this issue: Morocco, Algeria, the Polisario Front, and Mauritania.
The Italian-Swedish diplomat also held talks with Security Council member states, members of the Group of Friends of Western Sahara, and other interested parties with a view to advancing the political process.
The report does not specify the outcome of these consultations, other than to say that the parties support the UN’s efforts to find a political solution to the Sahara issue.
A.O.
