لقد بذل الدبلوماسيون جهوداً شاقة للتوسط في إجراء مفاوضات بشأن منطقة الصحراء الغربية المتنازع عليها منذ أواخر عام 2020، عندما انهار وقف لإطلاق النار بين المغرب وجبهة البوليساريو الداعية لاستقلال المنطقة. إذا رفعت واشنطن مستوى انخراطها في الوساطة، فقد تتمكن من إعادة إطلاق العملية.
Polisario Front independence movement launched rare rocket attacks in Morocco-controlled Western Sahara.
Four explosions overnight 28-29 Oct struck Moroccan-controlled city of Smara; Polisario claimed rocket attacks, said it targeted military infrastructures, but rockets hit residential areas, leaving one civilian dead and three others injured. New round of attacks reported 5 Nov in same area, with no casualties. Moroccan authorities opened investigation into blasts and FM Nasser Bourita 15 Nov said investigation’s outcome will inform Morocco’s response.
We're seeing a diplomatic war [over Western Sahara], where both sides [Algeria and Morocco] are resorting to anything short of open conflict.
On 29 October, the UN Security Council will vote on the UN mission in Western Sahara’s renewal. Following last year’s resumption of hostilities and the appointment of a new envoy, Council members should signal their commitment to relaunching negotiations and an even-handed approach to the conflict.
Hugh Pope is joined by North Africa experts Intissar Fakir and Riccardo Fabiani to ask whether Morocco holds a winning hand in its conflict with the pro-independence Polisario Front in Western Sahara as Europe looks on timidly, wary of direct challenges to the regional power.
ما يزال القتال الذي اندلع في الصحراء الغربية مرة أخرى في تشرين الثاني/نوفمبر 2020 منخفض الشدة. إلاّ أن القوى الخارجية ستكون مخطئة إذا افترضت أنه لن يتصاعد. ولذلك ينبغي على مبعوث الأمم المتحدة الجديد، وبدعم من الولايات المتحدة، أن يتخذ خطوات لبناء الثقة من شأنها أن تيسّر إجراء المفاوضات.
This week on Hold Your Fire!, Rob Malley and guest host Richard Atwood talk with Dahlia Scheindlin and Crisis Group’s North Africa Project Director Riccardo Fabiani about the normalisation of relations between Israel and Morocco and the accompanying U.S. recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara.
Refugee camps in Tindouf, Algeria, have long been run by the Polisario movement, which seeks an independent state in Western Sahara, also claimed by Morocco. But a new generation of Sahrawi refugees is growing fractious as aid dwindles and diplomatic efforts fail to deliver a settlement.
Receive the best source of conflict analysis right in your inbox.
This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Review our privacy policy for more details.