Hamoud Ghaillani: Towards a resolution for the Western Sahara?

The planned visit by the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, to the Tindouf camps from June 7 to 8, 2026 takes place in a diplomatic context marked by intensified international efforts to revive the political process. The mission, which follows several months of regional and international consultations, could mark an important step in the search for a negotiated solution to the conflict that has been ongoing for more than half a century.

A visit focused on relaunching dialogue

According to several diplomatic sources, the main objective of the visit is to create the conditions for the resumption of negotiations between the various parties involved. The United Nations seeks to create a climate conducive to a new round of discussions within the framework of Security Council resolutions calling for a realistic, practical, sustainable, and mutually acceptable political solution.

After several years of deadlock, it appears that a growing awareness is emerging within the international community: the current situation poses increasing risks to regional stability, particularly in the Sahel and Sahara regions, which face significant security challenges.

Regional stability as a strategic necessity

It is no longer possible to analyze the Western Sahara conflict in isolation. It is now part of a geopolitical landscape characterized by the expansion of armed groups in the Sahel region, irregular migration flows, cross-border trafficking, and geopolitical rivalries affecting all of North Africa.

As the United Nations seeks to revive the political process, incorporating this diversity of Sahrawi voices can strengthen the credibility and legitimacy of a negotiated solution.

In this context, many international partners consider that political progress on the Sahrawi issue will be a key factor in achieving regional stability. Reducing tensions can foster better security cooperation among the countries of the region, boost economic exchanges, and help the Arab Maghreb region present a more integrated and resilient front in the face of common challenges.

A notable shift in Algerian rhetoric

One of the most notable elements of the current diplomatic dynamic is the shift in Algerian rhetoric. Without calling its principled positions into question, it appears that Algiers now places greater emphasis on the need for a negotiated political solution under the auspices of the United Nations.

Recent statements by Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf reaffirm his country’s support for Staffan de Mistura’s efforts and the search for a just, lasting, and definitive solution, demonstrating a willingness to keep diplomatic channels open. Many observers interpret this approach as a sign of greater diplomatic flexibility and a growing recognition of the need to explore political avenues capable of bringing the positions of the various parties closer together.

This development is particularly significant, as no meaningful progress can be imagined without the constructive participation of Algeria, a central player in the regional equation.

The Emergence of Political Realism

Beyond traditional positions, a broader trend appears to be emerging in international diplomatic circles: the search for a politically viable solution rather than a return to the patterns that for decades have failed to resolve the conflict.

The discussions held in recent months reflect a growing desire to focus on a practical approach centered on negotiation, regional stability, and the interests of the people affected. This evolution does not mean renouncing the fundamental principles upheld by the various parties, but rather recognizing that only a negotiated political solution can guarantee lasting peace and protect the interests of future generations.

The Growing Contribution of Sahrawi Voices in Favor of Peace

In addition to international diplomatic initiatives, internal political developments within Sahrawi society deserve special attention. For several years now, new voices have been advocating for an approach based on dialogue and reconciliation, and on the search for concrete solutions to end the conflict that has weighed down several generations of Sahrawis.

In this context, the Sahrawi Movement for Peace appears to be one of the most prominent expressions of this trend. The movement advocates an approach that prioritizes negotiation and the construction of a realistic political solution, capable of preserving the dignity of the Sahrawi people while meeting the demands for regional stability.

The growing interest in this approach reflects an aspiration shared by a large part of the Sahrawi population, drawn from diverse tribal, social, geographic, and political backgrounds. Whether they live in the Tindouf camps, in the southern provinces, in Mauritania, or in the diaspora, many Sahrawis now express their desire to see a solution that finally paves the way toward a stable, prosperous life with prospects for the future.

The Sahrawi Movement for Peace presents concrete proposals and a vision based on compromise, rather than the perpetuation of conflict. This approach helps enrich the debate on the future of Western Sahara by highlighting that, alongside institutional actors, the voice of Sahrawis who support peace must have a place in any sustainable resolution framework.

As the United Nations seeks to revive the political process, incorporating this diversity of Sahrawi voices can strengthen the credibility and legitimacy of a negotiated solution. Lasting peace can only be built by taking into account all the sensibilities that make up today’s Sahrawi society.

Staffan de Mistura’s visit to Tindouf is not in itself a diplomatic breakthrough. However, it is an important signal: the international community is committed to avoiding deadlock and promoting a political solution to the conflict.

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If this momentum is confirmed, new dialogue initiatives involving all stakeholders could emerge in the coming months. In this context, voices advocating for conciliation, reconciliation, and political realism can play an increasingly important role in the search for a lasting solution.

The success of this approach depends, above all, on the ability of the various parties to demonstrate political courage and to prioritize the interests of the population and regional stability over the logic of confrontation inherited from the past.

In a region facing significant security and economic challenges, peace in Western Sahara is no longer merely a diplomatic goal. It is now a strategic necessity for the entire Maghreb and Sahel, as well as a legitimate aspiration for the Sahrawi people, who seek, above all, to live in peace, dignity, and prosperity.

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Maghrebi.org. Hamoud Ghaillani is a political analyst based in Mauritania, specialist of the Western Sahara conflict. This article was originally published in Atalayar.

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