Moroccan Sahara: Washington Revives the Political Track Around the Autonomy Initiative
International momentum in support of Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara continues to gain ground, as the United States moves to reactivate the political process centered on the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative. According to the Spanish daily El Confidencial, Madrid is set to host a closed-door meeting on Sunday, February 8, 2026, bringing together Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania, and the Polisario, at the initiative of Washington.
The meeting reflects a clear American effort to refocus discussions on the most recent and decisive United Nations framework, namely Security Council Resolution 2797, adopted on October 31, 2025. Widely described as a turning point, the resolution explicitly recognizes Morocco’s autonomy initiative as the serious and credible basis for reaching a final political solution that is just, lasting, and mutually acceptable.
Citing El Confidencial, each party is expected to participate with a three-member delegation. Morocco would be represented by its Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, a central figure in Moroccan diplomacy and a key architect of the Kingdom’s expanding international support. Algeria is expected to attend with its foreign minister, Ahmed Attaf, while Mauritania would be represented by Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug. The Polisario would take part through its representative Mohamed Yeslem Beissat. The Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for the Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, is also expected to attend the meeting.
This American initiative follows the regional tour conducted in late January by Massaad Boulos, Special Adviser to US President Donald Trump for Africa and the Middle East. His visit, including a stop in Algeria, underscored Washington’s determination to inject new momentum into the political process, anchored in realism, responsibility, and the primacy of Morocco’s autonomy proposal.
By insisting on the strict implementation of Resolution 2797, the United States is reaffirming its pragmatic reading of the Sahara issue and its support for a political solution consistent with Morocco’s long-standing position. The autonomy plan under Moroccan sovereignty continues to be presented as a framework capable of ensuring regional stability, development, and dignity for the populations of the Moroccan Sahara.
The choice of Madrid as the venue for the meeting stems from logistical and practical considerations determined by the United States. According to the Spanish newspaper, Spanish diplomacy was not directly involved in organizing the gathering, highlighting Washington’s increasingly central role in steering this strategic file.
Translated from Abderrazzak Boussaid’s French article – le7tv
