Polisario Front Declares General Mobilization in Western Sahara
The end of the UN peacekeeping mission triggers a critical escalation in the region.
1UN Mission Mandate Ends
The United Nations peacekeeping mission, known as Minurso, has officially ceased operations in Western Sahara. This follows the expiration of its mandate on October 31, 2026, after the UN Security Council failed to renew it. The withdrawal marks the end of three decades of international presence in the contested desert territory.
2Polisario Declares Mobilization
Brahim Ghali, leader of the Polisario Front, announced a general mobilization on November 10, 2026. This decision was finalized during an extraordinary meeting of the movement's general secretariat. The group is calling on all Sahrawis to prepare for the defense of their land and their right to self-determination against Moroccan control.
3Diplomatic Impasse and Failure
The current crisis stems from a complete breakdown in diplomatic negotiations at the UN level. Rival resolutions proposed by the United States and Russia were both blocked by vetoes, preventing any extension of the peacekeeping mandate. This failure has left the region without any international mechanism to moderate the ongoing territorial dispute.
4Direct Military Confrontation Risk
Political analyst Khadija Mohsen-Finan describes the situation as a dangerous rupture. With Minurso gone, there is now a direct face-to-face confrontation between the two belligerents. The absence of international observers increases the risk of violence, as the Polisario Front seeks to force the international community to address the decolonization issue.
5Tensions Over Sand Wall
The Polisario Front claims this mobilization is a direct response to increasing military activities by Morocco. Specifically, they cite operations near the 'Sand Wall,' a separation barrier constructed by Morocco during the 1980s. The movement views these activities as dangerous provocations that threaten the stability of the entire desert territory.
6Historical Context of Dispute
Western Sahara remains a non-self-governing territory under UN classification since the end of Spanish colonial rule in 1975. The region is rich in phosphate deposits and valuable fishing waters. While Morocco controls the majority of the land, the Polisario Front, backed by Algeria, continues to contest this sovereignty through armed struggle.
7Calls for International Action
The Polisario Front is urging both the United Nations and the African Union to urgently assume their responsibilities regarding the decolonization process. They warn that without immediate intervention, the entire region risks descending into widespread violence. The movement is attempting to prevent the Western Sahara dossier from being forgotten by global powers.
8Future Regional Outlook
The region now faces a period of extreme uncertainty without the stabilizing presence of UN peacekeepers. Observers are watching for potential escalations along the border as both sides harden their positions. The lack of a diplomatic framework suggests that the conflict may shift toward a more direct and volatile military phase.
Original article: RFI – Afrique — Polisario Front Declares General Mobilization in Western Sahara