Polisario threatens to reconsider UN cooperation, accuses envoy of compromising neutrality

The Polisario has threatened to reconsider its cooperation with the United Nations peace process over the Moroccan Sahara, accusing the U.N. secretary-general’s personal envoy, Staffan de Mistura, of abandoning neutrality in his efforts to resolve the decades-long dispute. In a press statement released Tuesday in New York, the Polisario said de Mistura had undermined his role as an impartial mediator by endorsing autonomy as a basis for future negotiations, arguing that the position aligned with Morocco’s stance on the territory. The statement followed remarks de Mistura made during closed consultations of the U.N. Security Council on Oct. 8 about the MINURSO. The Polisario warned that repeated departures from what it considers the principles governing the U.N. process could force it to reconsider its engagement with de Mistura and its continued cooperation with his mediation efforts. The group said any U.N.-led peace process must respect neutrality, impartiality and independence to maintain trust between the parties. It called on the U.N. secretary-general to ensure that the envoy operates within the framework of the U.N. Charter, relevant Security Council resolutions and international law. The Polisario statement comes nearly a year after the Security Council adopted Resolution 2797 on Oct. 31, 2025, calling for negotiations based on Morocco’s 2007 autonomy proposal. The resolution also renewed the mandate of the MINURSO for another year. The Polisario rejected the direction of the resolution before its adoption, saying it would not take part in negotiations based on proposals that it believes undermine the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination. Oct. 20, 2025, Polisario leader Brahim Ghali submitted an expanded proposal to U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, saying the group remained ready for direct negotiations with Morocco under U.N. auspices and without preconditions. After the Security Council vote, de Mistura said the United Nations would ask the parties to submit proposals and suggestions to help shape an agenda for direct or indirect negotiations. He said Morocco’s autonomy plan would serve as the basis for the talks, alongside Morocco’s expanded plan, the Polisario Front’s proposal and other ideas.

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