Sahara: Washington imposes a 3-month ultimatum on Morocco and Algeria

The meeting, which was initially supposed to end on Sunday, is being extended. On the orders of Massad Boulos, Donald Trump’s envoy for Africa, the discussions continue this Monday in the strictest secrecy at the residence of the American ambassador. The objective is to seal a quick agreement under the aegis of the UN, informs El Confidential.

On Bladi.net: Sahara: Washington brings together Morocco and Algeria in Madrid

The US administration is imposing a sustained pace on the negotiators. The White House wants the signing of a framework agreement in Washington within a period of three months, which would offer President Trump a major diplomatic success on this half-century-old conflict.

On Bladi.net: Algeria corrects Washington and excludes any peace agreement with Morocco

At the center of the debates is a new Moroccan offer of autonomy. Rabat has presented a 40-page detailed document, compared to three in 2007, described as the "sole basis for work" by the Moroccan delegation.

Faced with this diplomatic offensive, Algiers and the Polisario Front are struggling to maintain their historic demand for self-determination. The discussions are moving towards the creation of a permanent technical committee to examine the legal options under American supervision.

The climate remains, however, electric between the two powers of the Maghreb. The Algerian minister Ahmed Attaf would have refused any official photograph with his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita, as long as bilateral relations are not normalized.

However, Washington is aiming for much more than an agreement on the territory. The American plan aims for a complete regional reconciliation, including the reopening of land borders and the reactivation of the Maghreb-Europe gas pipeline, vital for the Spanish market.

Excluded from direct negotiations, Spain is multiplying behind-the-scenes consultations. Minister José Manuel Albares is having separate talks with the Algerian, Moroccan and Mauritanian delegations, but has excluded any official contact with the Polisario within the walls of his ministry.