Antonio Guterres: The Royal Armed Forces Have Assured the UN of the Strictly Civil Nature of the Road Linking Amgala to Mauritania

Covering the period from October 2024 to September 2025, the report notes that the situation on the ground remains characterized by low-intensity tensions between Morocco and the Polisario Front. Antonio Guterres stated that “most of the reported fire west of the defensive wall occurred in the Mahbes area,” specifying that MINURSO was only able to confirm half of the incidents reported by both parties.

The document also refers to four rocket explosions that occurred on June 27 near MINURSO’s operations base in Es-Smara, one of which landed just 200 meters from the site, fortunately causing no casualties. According to the Secretary-General, this was the closest incident to a UN installation since hostilities resumed in 2020. Following the attack, both the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and the Force Commander sent official letters to the Polisario Front, expressing deep concern and calling for the immediate cessation of hostilities.

A Strategic Civilian Route Recognized by the United Nations

Guterres specified in his report that “Morocco completed the construction of a road of approximately 93 kilometers linking Es-Smara to Mauritania through the sand wall,” adding that it has not yet been officially opened to traffic.

This project, intended to become a second corridor to Mauritania parallel to El Guerguerat, was clearly presented by Moroccan authorities as a civilian infrastructure. During a meeting on February 19 in Agadir with the MINURSO Force Commander, the commander of the Royal Armed Forces’ southern zone formally stated that the road “is designed to facilitate civilian traffic and has no connection to the military operations of the FAR.”

On September 20, Morocco’s Minister of Equipment and Water, Nizar Baraka, confirmed during a visit to Es-Smara that “the official opening of the road will take place within the next two weeks,” marking another milestone in the development of Morocco’s southern provinces.

The Polisario Continues Its Obstruction and Restrictions

The Secretary-General’s report denounces the continued obstacles imposed by the Polisario Front on MINURSO’s operations. Guterres noted that the mission’s ground patrols are limited to a radius of 20 kilometers around their bases, particularly in Tifariti and Mijek, where movements can only take place along pre-approved routes.

Furthermore, reconnaissance flights by helicopter east of the wall have been suspended since November 2020, following a unilateral decision by the Polisario.

Guterres also regretted that the MINURSO Force Commander has still not been able to establish direct contact with the separatist movement’s military leaders, with all communication restricted to written exchanges through the bases in Tindouf and Rabouni, inside Algerian territory. The Polisario continues to insist that meetings be held in what it calls “liberated territories,” a demand the United Nations firmly rejects.

A Call to Break with the Status Quo

In the conclusion of his report, Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern over the lack of political progress as the conflict nears its fiftieth anniversary. He called for a “renewed effort” by the parties involved and the international community to overcome the current stalemate and relaunch the political process under the exclusive auspices of the United Nations.

The Security Council is expected to decide at the end of October on the renewal of MINURSO’s mandate, a decision that will be closely watched amid a regional context where stability and cooperation remain more crucial than ever.

Translated from Abderrazzak Boussaid’s French article – le7tv