UN urged to revoke Polisario's recognition as Sahrawi representative

In a bold policy analysis, American Enterprise Institute scholar Michael Rubin has called on the United Nations to discontinue its recognition of the Polisario Front as the legitimate representative of the Sahrawi people. Describing the group as a “vestige of the Cold War,” Rubin's remarks come amid shifting dynamics in the region, particularly with the emergence of the Sahrawi Movement for Peace.

Rubin challenged the international community's support for Polisario, asserting that “no one has ever elected them to such a position and no one has given the Sahrawi any say.” He pointed to the Sahrawi Movement for Peace as a more legitimate alternative, highlighting its growing recognition from Socialist International and increasing support from the Spanish government.

“The Sahrawi Movement for Peace not only rejects violence but also seeks consensus across broad segments of the Sahrawi population,” Rubin noted, contrasting this approach with the Polisario Front's ongoing advocacy for armed conflict. The movement, which first backed Morocco’s autonomy proposal in its 2022 Canary Islands Manifesto, recently reconvened to produce a second manifesto. This document calls on the UN Secretary-General to engage the Sahrawis for Peace Movement as a recognized interlocutor in the political process.

Rubin's analysis also addressed Spain's evolving stance on the issue. Traditionally supportive of the Polisario Front, Madrid's current government is now reaching out to the Sahrawi Movement for Peace, reflecting a broader shift in regional politics.

The scholar issued a stark warning regarding the role of MINURSO, the UN's peacekeeping mission in Sahara, labeling it a “multibillion-dollar failure” that has yet to fulfill its mandate. He urged U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to demand the termination of UN recognition of the Polisario Front.

Rubin's critique aligns with a growing sentiment in Washington, where Congressman Joe Wilson is leading efforts to designate the Polisario as a terrorist organization. This push comes as the U.S. government reiterates its support for Morocco’s sovereignty over Sahara, emphasizing that genuine autonomy is the only viable solution to the ongoing dispute.

The mounting scrutiny of the Polisario Front, coupled with the evolving political landscape, suggests a potential turning point in the long-standing conflict over Sahara.