UN Report: Polisario Lacks Military Capability to Challenge Morocco in Western Sahara

In his report to the members of the UN Security Council, Alexander Ivanko provided an update on the situation in the Sahara since the adoption of resolution 2756 in October 2024. The Head of MINURSO mentioned the "theory of war" promoted by the Polisario Front, emphasizing that the Sahrawi independence movement does not have the military capabilities to inflict significant damage on the royal armed forces. Yet, it persists in maintaining the status quo and continues to reject calls for a ceasefire.

On the other hand, the Moroccan armed forces have shown great restraint, the UN diplomat indicated in his report, noting that they accepted a truce proposal during the month of Ramadan, while the Polisario Front rejected it. Ivanko did not fail to commend the frank and effective cooperation of Moroccan authorities with MINURSO, regretting the Polisario’s stance. For his part, Staffan de Mistura, the UN Special Envoy for the Sahara, emphasized that any progress in resolving this conflict requires political will from all parties.