American Think Tank: The UN Must Stop Recognizing the polisario as the “Representative” of the Sahrawis

The debate over the Western Sahara conflict continues to divide opinions, particularly among American think tanks. With Washington’s recent confirmation of its recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara, and autonomy as the only framework for negotiation, the focus of criticism has now shifted to the Polisario and its lack of legitimacy. Michael Rubin, a researcher at the American Enterprise Institute, is one of the experts expressing the strongest concerns in this regard. In his analyses, he condemns the persistent influence of the Polisario and calls for a revision of the UN’s position on the matter.

The Polisario Front, which emerged during the Cold War, is described by Rubin as a “relic” from that era, without legitimacy or real popular support. He highlights that the group was supported by Algeria, which founded it with the help of the Soviet Union and Cuba, in a geopolitical context aimed at countering Morocco. According to him, this organization was used by Algeria to influence negotiations and divert humanitarian aid intended for refugee camps. Rubin argues that it is time for the UN to stop recognizing the Polisario as the representative of the Sahrawis and to permanently abandon this fiction.

This criticism aligns with positions expressed by other experts such as Eugene Kontorovich from the Heritage Foundation, who has denounced the failure of MINURSO, the UN mission tasked with organizing a referendum on the status of Western Sahara. According to Kontorovich, after decades of ineffectiveness, this mission has become obsolete and useless, and the United States should end its funding. Other analysts, such as Sarah Zaaimi from the Rafik Hariri Center, also emphasize the ineffectiveness of MINURSO, which, although it monitors the ceasefire, has not contributed to stability or conflict resolution.

The issue of the diversion of humanitarian aid in the Tindouf camps is also raised as a major concern. Reports suggest that this aid is often diverted and resold in markets such as Nouadhibou in Mauritania, fueling corruption practices. This phenomenon reinforces criticism of the Polisario, accused of exploiting the situation for its own political and economic interests while diverting resources that should be intended for the Sahrawi population.

In response to this situation, Michael Rubin advocates for the Sahrawi Peace Movement, a group he considers more moderate and legitimate, rejecting violence and seeking consensus among the Sahrawi population. Rubin argues that this movement could constitute a viable alternative to the Polisario and its war policy. He proposes that Washington support this new organization as the true representative of the Sahrawis, ending the UN’s recognition of the Polisario.

The effectiveness of MINURSO is also questioned by other experts. According to Sarah Zaaimi, although the UN mission was created to organize a referendum, it has failed to fulfill its mandate and has contributed to the paralysis of the process. Despite the mission’s presence since 1991, the situation remains stagnant, with no significant progress toward a lasting solution. Moreover, MINURSO has failed to address the issues of terrorism and trafficking in the region, leaving these tasks to the Moroccan and Algerian armies.

Finally, the US position on Western Sahara has evolved under the Trump administration and has been reaffirmed by the current administration. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the United States recognizes Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara and supports its autonomy plan as the only realistic solution to the conflict. This position was strengthened during Nasser Bourita’s visit to Washington, where the US government insisted on the need for serious and immediate negotiations between the parties. This stance demonstrates strong support for Morocco, while the Polisario seems increasingly isolated on the international stage.

Staffan de Mistura’s mission, the UN’s personal envoy to the Sahara, may be approaching a decisive point. Criticism of his handling of the situation and the prolonged failure of the negotiation process makes the future of MINURSO and the UN in this matter uncertain. If the situation remains unchanged, some experts suggest that the solution could emerge outside the framework of the United Nations, with a different approach that might better address the realities on the ground and the aspirations of the Sahrawis.