Polisario Front Loses Ground in Northern Europe and the Baltic Region
The Polisario Front, facing increasing diplomatic setbacks, is experiencing a wave of rejection across Northern Europe and the Baltic region. This follows a similar trend in Latin America, highlighted by Ecuador’s recent closure of the Polisario’s representative office in Quito and the expulsion of its representatives. This shift in international support signals a growing recognition of Morocco’s autonomy plan for the Western Sahara.
Adding to the Polisario’s woes, Fadil Ibrika, a former detainee in Polisario-run camps in Tindouf and a human rights activist, recently confirmed reports circulating in national and international media about the closure of Polisario representative offices in Finland, Slovenia, and the Netherlands. This development coincides with reports of unrest and heightened security measures within the Tindouf camps themselves, potentially indicating internal struggles within the Polisario Front. While verifying information coming out of the Tindouf camps is notoriously difficult due to restricted access, reports from various human rights organizations suggest increasing tensions.
These closures represent a significant blow to the Polisario’s diplomatic efforts and reflect a broader shift in European attitudes towards the Western Sahara dispute. The European Parliament’s decision in December 2022 to disband the “Friends of the Sahara” group, a pro-Polisario and Algerian-backed parliamentary group, further underscores this changing landscape. This decision, reached by all 27 EU member states despite Algerian lobbying, signals a growing skepticism towards the Polisario’s claims and a greater willingness to consider alternative solutions. This move by the European Parliament can be seen as a reflection of the broader international trend towards supporting a realistic and pragmatic resolution to the conflict.
Several European nations have explicitly expressed their support for Morocco’s autonomy initiative. Finland, for instance, endorsed the plan in August 2022, describing it as a “good basis” for resolving the conflict. This endorsement came during a meeting between Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and his Finnish counterpart, Elina Valtonen, in Helsinki. Similarly, the Netherlands has voiced its support for the Moroccan autonomy plan, recognizing it as a “serious and credible” proposal. Slovenia echoed this sentiment in June 2022, praising the autonomy plan as a “good basis for a final and mutually acceptable settlement” under the auspices of the United Nations.
This growing international support for Morocco’s autonomy plan puts further pressure on the Polisario Front to reconsider its stance and engage in constructive dialogue. The international community increasingly views the autonomy plan as the most viable path towards a peaceful and lasting resolution to the Western Sahara dispute, offering a framework for self-governance within the sovereignty of Morocco. The continued isolation of the Polisario Front highlights the need for a pragmatic approach that prioritizes the well-being and future of the people of the Western Sahara. As more countries align themselves with the autonomy plan, the Polisario Front faces a critical juncture, requiring a reassessment of its strategy and a commitment to finding a realistic solution.
