Polisario Front Faces Mounting Challenges as International Support for Autonomy Plan Grows
The Polisario Front, a Sahrawi liberation movement, is facing an uphill battle in its quest for an independent state in Western Sahara. A recent report by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) highlights the growing international support for Morocco’s autonomy plan, posing a significant challenge to the Polisario’s aspirations.
The report, published by the Pretoria-based ISS, underscores the increasing difficulty the Polisario Front faces in achieving its goal of establishing an independent state in the Western Sahara region. This shift in the geopolitical landscape can be attributed to the growing international acceptance of Morocco’s autonomy proposal, which has garnered considerable traction in recent years.
The autonomy plan, presented by Morocco in 2007, proposes a self-governing Western Sahara within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty. This plan has been lauded by many in the international community as a realistic and pragmatic solution to the decades-long conflict. The United States, for instance, under the Trump administration, formally recognized Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara in 2020, a move that signaled a significant shift in the international stance on the issue.
This growing international support for the autonomy plan has put the Polisario Front on the defensive. The movement, which has long insisted on a referendum on self-determination, now finds itself increasingly isolated on the world stage. The ISS report suggests that the Polisario’s insistence on a referendum, which has been stalled for years due to disagreements over voter eligibility, may no longer be a viable option.
The report further argues that the Polisario Front’s ability to garner support has been hampered by allegations of human rights abuses and its close ties with Algeria. These factors, coupled with the growing international acceptance of the autonomy plan, have cast a shadow over the Polisario’s legitimacy and weakened its position in the eyes of the international community.
The ISS report concludes that the Polisario Front needs to reassess its strategy and engage in meaningful dialogue with Morocco if it hopes to achieve a lasting solution to the Western Sahara conflict. The report emphasizes that clinging to outdated demands and failing to adapt to the changing geopolitical realities will only further marginalize the movement and prolong the suffering of the Sahrawi people.
