Western Sahara: 'Madrid summit' reaffirms Moroccan sovereignty

Following the confidential meeting on the Western Sahara, held in Madrid on the 8th and 9th February, the Moroccan side has emerged comforted in its claim to sovereignty, reports Moroccan government-friendly Hespress on 10th February.

The US-facilitated meeting brought together officials from Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania and the Polisario Front, along with Trump’s Senior Advisor Massad Boulos, US ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz and the UN’s Special envoy for the Sahara Staffan De Mistura. It focused on the implementation of the UN’s resolution 2797 adopted in October 2025. The resolution recognizes Moroccan sovereignty over the disputed land, and Morocco has developed a more detailed plan since then, explaining how it would protect the Sahrawi people’s autonomy and right to self-determination within its borders.

The US has been putting pressure on Algeria to change its stance on the longstanding conflict and to work towards a solution. The North African state has been supporting the Polisario Front financially and diplomatically since its creation in 1973, which has been a major factor in the breakdown of its relationship with Morocco.

The Polisario Front’s position has also been weakened by the poor living conditions in the Tindouf refugee camps under its leadership, leading to an increasing number of residents supporting the Moroccan plan. FORSATIN, a collective calling for Sahrawi autonomy, issued a statement following the Madrid meeting accusing Polisario of misleading refugees and of “prolonging the conflict“.

The fact that both Algeria and the Polisario have agreed to attend the Madrid meeting to negotiate the terms of the region’s autonomy is a positive step, showing their willingness to finally engage with the Moroccan proposal.

However, there are two remaining points of disagreement: the designation of a regional leader (Morocco wants a nominated official while Algeria demands an election), and the division of the territory’s resources – which Rabat refuses.

Hespress, Le matin d’Algerie, Maghrebi.org