AGP Executive Report

UN Diplomacy: Washington is coordinating with UN envoy Staffan de Mistura as the Security Council prepares to decide MINURSO’s future before its mandate expires on Oct. 31. Côte d’Ivoire renewed its support for Morocco’s autonomy plan, while Secretary-General António Guterres has stressed that any settlement must preserve Sahrawis’ right to self-determination and proposed a genuine consultation on autonomy. Fourth Committee: Nicaragua, Mozambique, South Africa and CELAC backed Sahrawi self-determination, with Nicaragua and Mozambique calling for a UN-supervised referendum. Prisoners: Sahrawi and international groups are urging urgent action for Gdeim Izik prisoners on hunger strike in Moroccan jails, citing concerns for their health and calling for medical care and release.

UN Showdown: António Guterres says any Western Sahara settlement must uphold Sahrawi self-determination, proposing a genuine consultation on Morocco’s autonomy plan ahead of the Security Council’s 31 October vote on MINURSO. Mission in the Balance: Washington is weighing whether to renew, revise or end the UN mission, which was established to organise a referendum that has never taken place. Diplomatic Push: Nicaragua, Mozambique, South Africa and CELAC backed Sahrawi self-determination at the UN, while Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Peru and Gabon renewed support for Morocco’s autonomy proposal. Prisoners’ Plight: Sahrawi and Palestinian groups appealed for urgent action to protect Gdeim Izik prisoners on hunger strike in Moroccan jails and ensure medical care. Spain’s Airspace Debate: Spain’s opposition PP is urging Madrid to retain control of Western Sahara’s airspace and give the Canary Islands a say in any negotiations with Rabat.

MINURSO: Washington is weighing options for the UN mission in Western Sahara ahead of an Oct. 31 Security Council vote, including extending, revising or ending its mandate, according to a report. MINURSO was created to organize a self-determination referendum, which has never taken place. UN Support: Nicaragua and Mozambique backed a UN-supervised referendum, while CELAC and South Africa reaffirmed the Sahrawi people’s right to decide their future. Prisoners: Calls are mounting for urgent action to protect Sahrawi political prisoners on hunger strike in Moroccan jails. A Palestinian solidarity committee appealed to the UN and international leaders to secure medical care and safeguard their lives. Solidarity: At an international seminar in Mexico, Sahrawi Foreign Minister Mohamed Yeslem Beissat urged political parties and solidarity groups to turn their support into concrete political action.

Hunger Strike: Sahrawi officials appealed for urgent international action to protect nine political prisoners on hunger strike in Moroccan jails, as Sahrawi civil society representatives raised their cases at an African human rights forum in Dakar. International Support: Former Colombian President Gustavo Petro reaffirmed support for the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination during a visit to their embassy in Mexico. MINURSO: The US is weighing the future of the UN mission ahead of an October 31 Security Council vote, with ending or revising its mandate reportedly under consideration. Decolonization: A Sahrawi official warned against turning the dispute into geopolitical bargaining, insisting any settlement must uphold the Sahrawi people’s right to decide the territory’s future.

Diplomacy: Sahrawi presidential adviser Oubi Bushraya Al-Bashir warned against turning Western Sahara into a geopolitical bargaining chip, insisting any settlement must uphold self-determination and include the Polisario Front. International Outreach: The Polisario representative in Spain met journalists to discuss the conflict’s political prospects and media coverage, while the Front joined an international seminar in Mexico. A Canary Islands forum showcased Sahrawi culture and the independence struggle. Political Prisoners: Nine Gdeim Izik prisoners remain on hunger strike in Moroccan jails; rights groups and Ivry-sur-Seine’s municipal council urged action to protect them and called for their release. UN Debate: At the UN, the Polisario reaffirmed the Sahrawi people’s right to independence and rejected proposals it says bypass self-determination. Senegal, meanwhile, renewed its support for Morocco’s autonomy plan. Laayoune Roads: Flooding temporarily cut routes linking Smara with Laayoune and Tan-Tan as heavy rain hit the region.

Self-Determination: Sahrawi presidential adviser Oubi Bushraya Al-Bashir warned against turning Western Sahara into a geopolitical bargaining chip, insisting any settlement must respect international law and the Sahrawi people’s right to decide their future. He rejected Morocco’s autonomy plan and said the Polisario Front must be part of negotiations. Political Prisoners: Ivry-sur-Seine reaffirmed support for nine Gdeim Izik prisoners on hunger strike in Moroccan jails and called for their release. The council also backed MINURSO and the Sahrawi right to self-determination. UN Diplomacy: Senegal again endorsed Morocco’s autonomy proposal at the UN, while the Polisario’s representative in Spain met journalists to discuss the Sahrawi cause and its place in Spanish media. Culture and Solidarity: A Canary Islands forum showcased Sahrawi heritage and art; the Polisario also joined an international political seminar in Mexico, where its ambassador highlighted prisoners’ plight and human rights concerns.

Sahrawi Prisoners: Ivry-sur-Seine’s council renewed support for Naâma Asfari and eight other Gdeim Izik prisoners on hunger strike in Moroccan jails, calling for their release and backing the Sahrawi right to self-determination. UN Debate: Polisario’s UN representative condemned interruptions of pro-Sahrawi speakers at the General Assembly’s Fourth Committee; Algeria also reaffirmed support for self-determination. A draft report by Secretary-General António Guterres urges talks on genuine autonomy while calling for meaningful consultation with Sahrawis. Competing Positions: Senegal renewed its support for Morocco’s Autonomy Plan at the UN, while Polisario rejected proposals it says bypass self-determination. Defense Ties: Israeli arms makers made their first national-pavilion appearance at the Marrakech Airshow, highlighting expanding Morocco-Israel military cooperation. Local Conditions: Flooding temporarily cut road links between Smara and Laayoune and Tan-Tan.

UN Debate: Polisario’s UN representative accused Moroccan delegates of trying to disrupt a pro-Sahrawi statement to the General Assembly’s Fourth Committee. Algeria’s foreign minister separately reaffirmed Sahrawis’ right to self-determination, calling Western Sahara an unfinished decolonization issue. Prisoners’ Hunger Strike: Rights groups urged action to protect nine Gdeim Izik prisoners on hunger strike since September 23, citing risks to their health and calling for medical care and release. Sahrawi President Brahim Ghali has appealed to UN Secretary-General António Guterres to intervene. Regional Ties: Eight Israeli arms companies, including major manufacturers, are exhibiting at Morocco’s Marrakech Air Show for the first time, as military cooperation between the countries deepens. Laayoune Project: A proposed green hydrogen and ammonia facility near Laayoune has secured a preliminary land reservation; it remains at an early engineering stage, with no final investment decision. Local Disruption: Flooding temporarily closed roads linking Smara with Laayoune and Tan-Tan, after heavy rain made crossings unsafe.

Defense Ties: Eight Israeli arms firms are exhibiting at Morocco’s Marrakech Air Show for the first time, highlighting growing military cooperation between Rabat and Israel. Sahrawi Prisoners: Rights groups and President Brahim Ghali are urging urgent action for nine Gdeim Izik prisoners on hunger strike since September 23; they report worsening health and seek release, medical care and transfers closer to family. UN Process: Secretary-General António Guterres says Resolution 2797 has renewed momentum for talks, with three rounds involving Morocco, the Polisario Front, Algeria and Mauritania. The Polisario rejects “half-solutions” and insists on Sahrawi self-determination; the Security Council is meeting October 7–8 ahead of a MINURSO mandate vote. Local Disruption: Flooding cut roads linking Smara with Laayoune and Tan-Tan as heavy storms hit the region. Laayoune Project: A proposed green hydrogen and ammonia complex is advancing through early engineering, but has no final investment decision.

Prisoners’ Rights: Two European human-rights groups urged urgent action to protect nine Sahrawi Gdeim Izik prisoners on hunger strike since September 23, calling for medical care, family contact and international monitoring. Sahrawi President Brahim Ghali has also appealed to UN chief António Guterres to intervene. UN Process: At the UN General Assembly’s Fourth Committee, Polisario representative Sidi Mohamed Omar said Sahrawis would continue seeking freedom and independence by legitimate means and rejected proposals that bypass self-determination. Guterres’s annual report urges the parties to explore genuine autonomy while calling for meaningful consultation with the Sahrawi people; the Security Council is due to discuss MINURSO’s mandate. Laayoune Region: Flooding temporarily cut road links between Smara and Laayoune and Tan-Tan, as thunderstorms brought heavy rain. Authorities warned drivers to avoid flooded crossings.

Self-Determination: Polisario representative Sidi Mohamed Omar told the UN General Assembly’s Fourth Committee on Oct. 6 that Sahrawis would continue pursuing independence by legitimate means and rejected “half-solutions” that bypass self-determination. Political Prisoners: President Brahim Ghali urged UN chief António Guterres to intervene over nine Gdeim Izik prisoners on an open-ended hunger strike since Sept. 23, citing worsening conditions and urgent medical concerns. UN Process: Security Council members are due to discuss MINURSO on Oct. 8 ahead of a mandate vote later this month. Guterres’s report calls for renewed negotiations and meaningful consultation with the Sahrawi people. Local Disruption: Flooding temporarily cut road links from Smara to Laayoune and Tan-Tan, as heavy rain prompted warnings across the region. Rights Watch: Amnesty International says Sahrawi activists have faced surveillance, arrests and restrictions, and reports Pegasus spyware targeting people linked to the cause.

Hunger Strike and Prisoner Crisis: Polisario leader Brahim Ghali urged UN chief António Guterres to urgently intervene over nine Sahrawi civilian political prisoners on open-ended hunger strike in Moroccan jails, warning of worsening health and renewed repression after demands for transfers closer to families. UN Process and “Half-Solutions”: Polisario’s UN representative Sidi Mohamed Omar rejected any “half-solutions” that would sidestep Sahrawi self-determination, as Guterres’ draft report continues to stress autonomy talks under UN-led guarantees. Weather Disruptions in Western Sahara and Morocco: Flooding cut roads linking Smara with Laayoune and Tan-Tan, while Morocco issued orange alerts for heavy thunderstorms, hail and strong winds affecting southern provinces including Laayoune, Boujdour and Oued Eddahab. Mine-Clearing Update: A UN report says Morocco cleared 268.97 million square meters of land and destroyed hundreds of explosive remnants of war in Western Sahara over the past year. Humanitarian Pressure in Tindouf: UN draft reporting flags rising child malnutrition and ongoing aid planning challenges tied to the lack of a full census in the Tindouf camps. Security and Surveillance Claims: Amnesty renewed allegations of Morocco’s surveillance system targeting Sahrawi activists, including Pegasus spyware use and broader smear/harassment tactics.

Prisoner Crisis: Polisario leader Brahim Ghali has urged UN chief António Guterres to act urgently over a hunger strike by nine Sahrawi civilian political prisoners in Moroccan jails, warning of deteriorating health and alleging repression, transfers and communication bans. UN Process: Guterres’ latest Western Sahara report points to Morocco’s autonomy plan as the “most feasible outcome,” while the Polisario UN representative rejects any “half-solutions” and says only measures enabling self-determination will be discussed. Security Council Watch: UN Security Council consultations on MINURSO are set for Oct 7–8 ahead of a vote, with MINURSO mandate renewal in focus. Human Rights Pressure: Amnesty International reports continued surveillance, arrests and smear campaigns against Sahrawi activists, including claims linking Pegasus spyware to targeting people connected to the Western Sahara cause. Regional Diplomacy: Algeria reiterated it won’t reverse its break with the UAE and stressed support for Sahrawi self-determination, while the UAE reaffirmed backing for Morocco’s autonomy initiative. Weather in the South: Morocco issued orange alerts for heavy thunderstorms and hail in southern provinces including Laayoune, Boujdour and Aousserd.

UN Western Sahara Process: UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ latest report says Security Council Resolution 2797 has revived momentum for talks, pointing to “genuine autonomy” as the most feasible outcome and stressing any proposal must involve meaningful consultation with Sahrawis. MINURSO Vote Prep: The UN Security Council is set for closed meetings on Oct 7-8 ahead of the Oct 31 MINURSO mandate expiry, with briefings from Staffan de Mistura and MINURSO head Alexander Ivanko. Polisario Position: Polisario’s UN representative Sidi Mohamed Omar reiterated a categorical rejection of “half-solutions,” insisting the Sahrawi right to self-determination cannot be bypassed. Human Rights Pressure: Amnesty International renewed allegations of Morocco’s surveillance and crackdown on Sahrawi activists, including claims linking Pegasus spyware to targeting figures connected to the Western Sahara cause. Weather in the South: Morocco’s meteorology issued orange alerts for heavy thunderstorms and hail in southern provinces including Laayoune, Boujdour and Oued Eddahab, with rain totals up to 50–80mm and temperatures near 40°C.

UN Autonomy Push: UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged Western Sahara parties to explore “genuine autonomy,” pointing to Security Council Resolution 2797 and stressing any proposal must involve meaningful consultation with Sahrawis. MINURSO Clock: The UN Security Council is set for closed talks on Oct 7-8 ahead of MINURSO’s Oct 31 mandate expiry, with briefings expected from MINURSO head Alexander Ivanko and Staffan de Mistura. Surveillance and Repression Claims: Amnesty International renewed allegations of Morocco’s long-running spyware and broader surveillance of Sahrawi activists, including Pegasus-linked targeting and a “chilling effect” from arrests, smear campaigns and harassment. Human Rights Pressure: Sahrawi representatives told the UN Human Rights Council and UN Fourth Committee that self-determination must be protected, discrimination ended, and independent monitoring granted. Diplomacy and Messaging: Reports say Washington’s approach is shifting from recognition talk to the mechanics of settlement, while Algeria reiterated it won’t reverse its break with the UAE and reaffirmed support for Sahrawi self-determination. Regional Weather Watch: Morocco issued orange alerts for heat and thunderstorms, with southern provinces including Laayoune and Oued Eddahab among the affected areas.

UN Fourth Committee Push: Sahrawi rights drew broad backing in the UN General Assembly’s Fourth Committee, with states stressing Western Sahara’s decolonization and the UN’s duty to protect the Sahrawi right to self-determination, while Namibia and South Africa urged full implementation of UN processes and MINURSO. MINURSO Watch: Polisario’s UN representative met UN peace operations chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix on MINURSO issues as the Security Council prepares closed consultations on Oct 7-8 ahead of the Oct 31 MINURSO mandate expiry. Human Rights Under Scrutiny: Amnesty International renewed allegations of Morocco’s long-running surveillance and crackdown on Sahrawi activists, including Pegasus-linked targeting and a wider system of spying, smear campaigns, and judicial harassment. Prisoners’ Hunger Strike: Rights groups and solidarity networks highlighted worsening conditions and reprisals against Gdeim Izik prisoners, including reports of punitive transfers and health deterioration during an open-ended hunger strike. Regional Diplomacy: Algeria’s Tebboune reiterated support for Sahrawi self-determination and said negotiations must stay within UN frameworks, while Morocco’s autonomy plan continued to gain UN Fourth Committee backing from countries including Chile, El Salvador, Ecuador, and the GCC.