AGP Executive Report

C-24 & UN decolonization: Frente POLISARIO UN representative Dr. Sidi Mohamed Omar said Sahrawi rights drew strong backing at the UN General Assembly’s C-24 regional seminar in Managua, with states urging the UN to expedite a self-determination referendum. Human rights in occupied Western Sahara: The European Association of Lawyers for Democracy and Human Rights condemned abuses against Sahrawi defenders, citing isolation measures and a reported de facto siege on Hussein Mjahid’s home in El Aaiún. Political solidarity in Africa: South Africa’s EFF renewed support for Sahrawis, with Julius Malema calling it “shameful” to celebrate liberation while Western Sahara remains under occupation. EU legal pressure on business: Catalonia for Freedom of the Sahrawi People Collective urged AZURA Group to stop marketing Dakhla as Moroccan and to respect European court rulings on Western Sahara’s separate status. Diplomacy & regional positioning: Morocco’s new French ambassador Philippe Lalliot began his post in Rabat, while Rabat also highlighted Gulf ties amid Middle East tensions. MINURSO update: MINURSO closed a medical center as the UN mission undergoes restructuring.

MINURSO Restructuring in Laayoune: MINURSO has shut its medical center at headquarters in Laayoune after contracts for about 20 doctors, nurses and healthcare staff were ended, with equipment set to go to local humanitarian groups as the UN reviews the mission under Security Council Resolution 2797. Human Rights Under Occupation: European lawyers’ group condemns alleged abuses against Sahrawi defenders, including isolation measures and a reported de facto siege on human rights defender Hussein Mjahid’s home in El Aaiún, with electricity cut. Corporate Pressure Over Dakhla Labels: Catalan and French civil society groups launch a campaign and petition against AZURA Group, demanding it stop marketing Dakhla as Moroccan and ensure correct origin labeling for exports to Europe. Self-Determination Push in Africa Day Events: South Africa’s EFF and the World Peace Council renewed calls to end Morocco’s occupation and back Sahrawis’ right to self-determination. Diplomacy Watch: Algeria’s interior minister is set to visit Paris as France-Algeria rapprochement continues, with Western Sahara tensions cited as a key driver of the earlier rift.

Self-Determination Push: The World Peace Council urged an end to Morocco’s occupation of Western Sahara and called for Sahrawis to exercise their right to freedom and self-determination, renewing demands for recognition of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic. Africa Day Solidarity: South Africa’s EFF echoed the same message, calling Western Sahara “the last colony in Africa” and condemning Morocco’s continued intransigence while praising Sahrawi support from South African institutions. Human Rights Under Pressure: European lawyers condemned serious abuses against Sahrawi human rights defenders in occupied territories, including reports of a de facto siege on Hussein Mjahid’s home in El Aaiún and restrictions meant to block solidarity and monitoring. Corporate Accountability: A Catalonia for Freedom of the Sahrawi People campaign targeted AZURA Group, demanding it stop marketing Dakhla as Moroccan and ensure accurate origin labels in line with European court rulings. MINURSO Restructuring: Reports say MINURSO has closed its medical center in Laayoune after staff departures, with equipment expected to shift to local humanitarian partners as the UN reviews the mission ahead of its October 2026 mandate expiry. Diplomatic Signals: US and France held talks on the Sahara, stressing a peaceful resolution aligned with UN Security Council Resolution 2797 and keeping Morocco’s autonomy proposal central to negotiations.

Human Rights in Occupied Western Sahara: The European Association of Lawyers for Democracy and Human Rights condemned alleged abuses against Sahrawi defenders, citing isolation measures and a reported de facto siege on the home of human rights defender Hussein Mjahid in El Aaiún, including electricity cutoffs. Corporate Accountability: Catalonia for the Freedom of the Sahrawi People Collective and partners urged AZURA Group to respect European court rulings, stop describing Dakhla as Moroccan, and ensure accurate origin labels for exports. UN Mission Update: MINURSO closed its medical center in Laayoune after contracts ended for about 20 doctors and nurses; equipment is set to go to local humanitarian groups as the UN reviews the mission under Security Council Resolution 2797. Diplomacy Track: U.S. and France discussed the Sahara with Washington backing a “peaceful, durable” resolution aligned with UNSC 2797, treating Morocco’s autonomy proposal as the basis for talks. International Support: Burundi reiterated support for Morocco’s autonomy plan and welcomed UN Security Council Resolution 2797 as a historic turning point.

MINURSO Restructuring: MINURSO has shut its Laayoune medical center after about 20 doctors and nurses left, with equipment set to go to local humanitarian groups as the UN reviews the mission under Security Council Resolution 2797. Diplomatic Push: U.S. and France aligned on Western Sahara talks, with Trump adviser Massad Boulos meeting French officials to stress a peaceful, durable solution under UN Security Council Resolution 2797, keeping Morocco’s autonomy track central. Regional Support for Autonomy: Burundi told the UN C-24 that Morocco’s autonomy plan is the “sole and only” realistic basis for a settlement, welcoming Resolution 2797 and urging all parties to engage constructively. Human Rights Spotlight: Slovenian TV featured Sahrawi human rights defender Aminatou Haidar, calling for stronger EU support for self-determination and highlighting abuses in occupied areas and refugee camps. International Solidarity: Sahrawi delegations took part in forums in Russia and Nicaragua, reiterating the right to self-determination and independence. Economic Pressure Point: A report says phosphate imports from occupied Western Sahara hit a record low in 2025, with only three importers—while exports still reached about 2.02 million tonnes.

UN Diplomacy on Western Sahara: Burundi told the UN C-24 that it backs Morocco’s autonomy plan as the “sole and only” realistic basis for a political settlement, welcoming UN Security Council Resolution 2797 and urging all parties to engage constructively. MINURSO Restructuring: MINURSO closed its Laayoune medical center after contracts ended for about 20 doctors and nurses; equipment is set to move to local humanitarian groups as the UN reviews the mission under Resolution 2797. US-France Coordination: US adviser Massad Boulos met France’s North Africa and Middle East director to align on Sahara talks under Resolution 2797, alongside discussions on Libya and Sudan. Algeria’s Position: Algeria reiterated its commitment to African unity and, in UN settings, reaffirmed principles for a just Western Sahara settlement and support for direct negotiations between Morocco and the Polisario under UN and US auspices. Ceasefire Tensions: Burundi condemned an attack on Smara on May 5 as a threat to regional stability. Peacekeeping Remembrance: UN chief António Guterres will honour six Bangladeshi peacekeepers posthumously with the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal on June 5, with Western Sahara listed among missions hosting Bangladeshi personnel. Local Impact: Egypt’s weather service warned of hot, humid conditions and possible light rain, including in Western Sahara.

MINURSO Restructuring: MINURSO has shut its Laayoune medical center after contracts ended for around 20 doctors, nurses and healthcare staff, with equipment set to move to local humanitarian groups as the UN reviews the mission ahead of its October 2026 mandate expiry. UN Peacekeeping Memorial: UN Secretary-General António Guterres will award the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal posthumously to six Bangladeshi peacekeepers killed in a 13 Dec 2025 drone strike in Abyei, as part of a June 5 ceremony marking International Day of UN Peacekeepers; the UN says Bangladesh is among the top troop contributors and notes deployments also include Western Sahara. Western Sahara Diplomacy: A senior US adviser for Arab and African affairs met France to align on Libya, Sudan and the Sahara, both sides stressing a peaceful, durable solution under UN Security Council Resolution 2797 and treating Morocco’s autonomy proposal as the basis for talks. Sahrawi Outreach: Sahrawi delegations met Nicaragua’s National Assembly and took part in an anti-fascist forum in Russia, reiterating support for self-determination and independence. Occupied Sahara Economy: A report says only three companies imported phosphate rock from occupied Western Sahara in 2025, the lowest recorded, while exports rose in volume—highlighting ongoing controversy over the trade.

MINURSO Restructuring: MINURSO has closed its medical center in Laayoune after about 20 doctors, nurses and healthcare workers left, with equipment set to move to local humanitarian groups as the UN reviews the mission ahead of its October 2026 mandate expiry. UN Peacekeeping Commemorations: UN Secretary-General António Guterres will honour fallen peacekeepers on June 5, including six Bangladeshi personnel killed in a 2025 drone strike in Abyei, with the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal awarded posthumously to 68 across military, police and civilian categories. US-France Sahara Diplomacy: A senior US adviser, Massad Boulos, met France’s North Africa and Middle East director to reaffirm a peaceful, durable Western Sahara resolution under UN Security Council Resolution 2797, keeping Washington and Paris aligned on Morocco’s autonomy track. Sahrawi International Outreach: Sahrawi delegations met Nicaragua’s National Assembly and took part in an anti-fascist forum in Russia, using both platforms to press for self-determination and highlight alleged repression in occupied Western Sahara. Human Rights Pressure: A joint statement says the UN Committee Against Torture found Morocco used torture and ill-treatment against detainees linked to Gdeim Izik, with confessions later used in convictions. Phosphate Trade Watch: A report says only three companies imported Western Sahara phosphate rock in 2025—the lowest recorded—while exports rose to about 2.02 million tonnes, underscoring ongoing controversy over the trade’s legality.

UN Peacekeeping Commemoration: UN chief António Guterres will honour fallen peacekeepers at UN Headquarters on June 5, including six Bangladeshi personnel killed in a 2025 drone strike in Abyei, with the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal awarded posthumously to 68 peacekeepers. U.S.-France Diplomacy on the Sahara: US adviser Massad Boulos met France’s North Africa and Middle East director Romaric Roignan, reaffirming a peaceful, durable Western Sahara settlement under UN Security Council Resolution 2797, while also coordinating on Sudan and Libya. Sahrawi Outreach Abroad: A Sahrawi delegation met Nicaragua’s National Assembly board, and also took part in Russia’s Third International Anti-Fascist Forum, using both platforms to press self-determination and denounce alleged repression in occupied areas. Human Rights Pressure: A joint statement says the UN Committee Against Torture found Morocco used torture and ill-treatment against detainees linked to Gdeim Izik, with confessions later used in convictions. Resource Watch: Western Sahara Resource Watch reports only three companies imported phosphate rock from occupied Western Sahara in 2025—the lowest recorded—despite 2.02 million tonnes shipped.

UN Peacekeeping Focus: India marked International Day of UN Peacekeepers by reiterating its “unflinching commitment” to Blue Helmets, honoring more than 4,000 fallen peacekeepers and noting 184 Indian sacrifices, as UN plans also include posthumous Dag Hammarskjöld Medal awards for peacekeepers. Western Sahara Diplomacy: A Sahrawi delegation met Nicaragua’s National Assembly board, with Polisario representatives stressing the push for independence and sovereignty, while separate coverage highlights Algeria’s renewed call for direct Morocco-Polisario talks under UN and US auspices. Human Rights in the Occupied Territories: Rights groups say the UN Committee Against Torture found Moroccan authorities used torture and ill-treatment against Gdeim Izik detainees, with confessions later used in convictions. Occupied Western Sahara Economy: A report says only three companies imported phosphate rock from occupied Western Sahara in 2025—the lowest recorded—despite 36 vessels shipping about 2.02 million tonnes. Regional Outreach: A Sahrawi delegation took part in Russia’s Third International Anti-Fascist Forum, using the platform to raise awareness of Western Sahara and alleged repression under occupation.

Anti-Fascist Diplomacy: A Sahrawi delegation joined the Third International Anti-Fascist Forum in Moscow, using the platform to renew calls for self-determination and to highlight alleged repression and rights abuses under Moroccan occupation. US-France Coordination: US Presidential adviser Massad Boulos met France’s North Africa and Middle East director Romaric Rouignane, with both sides stressing a peaceful, durable Western Sahara settlement under UN Security Council Resolution 2797, alongside talks on Sudan and Libya. Human Rights at Gdeim Izik: A rights statement says the UN Committee Against Torture found Moroccan authorities used torture and ill-treatment against Sahrawi detainees tied to the Gdeim Izik case, with confessions later used in convictions. Occupied Western Sahara Economy: Western Sahara Resource Watch reports only three companies imported phosphate rock from occupied Western Sahara in 2025—the lowest recorded—while noting 2.02 million tonnes shipped and ongoing concerns over illegal exploitation. Regional Support for Decolonization: At UN decolonization events in Nicaragua and related forums, multiple countries backed Sahrawi self-determination, while Algeria reiterated that direct talks between Morocco and the Polisario should proceed under UN and US auspices. Local Development in Laayoune: Morocco launched a regional Territorial Health Group in Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra as part of healthcare reform, aiming to improve regional governance and coordination.

US-France Diplomacy: US Presidential adviser Massad Boulos met France’s North Africa and Middle East director Romaric Rouignane, agreeing to keep pushing for a peaceful, durable Western Sahara resolution under UN Security Council Resolution 2797, while also coordinating on Sudan and Libya. Algeria’s Shift in Talks: Algeria reiterated that negotiations should be direct between Morocco and the Polisario as the two conflict parties, with Algeria acting as a neighbouring observer, framing the approach as more realistic and aligned with current diplomacy. UN Rights Pressure: Human rights groups and lawyers said the UN Committee Against Torture found Morocco used torture and ill-treatment against Sahrawi detainees linked to Gdeim Izik, with confessions later used in convictions. Tourism as Strategy: Morocco’s tourism push in Western Sahara is accelerating, with arrivals up more than 50% since 2019, driven by new European flight routes—sparking renewed legal and ethical debate over commercial normalisation of the territory. Regional Solidarity: Sahrawi representatives and supporters continued lobbying at UN-linked decolonisation forums, renewing calls for self-determination and rejecting what they call colonial fait accompli.

U.S.-France Diplomacy: A senior U.S. adviser met France’s North Africa and Middle East director to coordinate on Libya, Sudan, and Western Sahara, stressing a peaceful, durable solution under UN Security Council Resolution 2797. Algeria’s Western Sahara Line: Algeria reiterated that only direct Morocco–Polisario talks can deliver a “just, lasting and definitive” settlement that preserves Sahrawi self-determination, while also rejecting Morocco’s claims amid UN decolonisation forums. Human Rights Pressure: Sahrawi and international groups renewed calls for justice over alleged torture and ill-treatment of Gdeim Izik detainees, citing UN Committee Against Torture findings. UN Peacekeeping Commemoration: UN events on 5 June will honour fallen peacekeepers, including posthumous Dag Hammarskjöld Medal awards for Ghanaian and Indian personnel, with Ghana among the top contributors including deployments in Western Sahara. Tourism and Control Debate: Morocco-backed tourism growth in Western Sahara—driven by new European flight routes and rising arrivals—has sparked renewed legal and ethical debate over normalising an occupied territory. Regional Solidarity: Sahrawi representatives and supporters continued pushing self-determination at UN-linked decolonisation seminars, including meetings in Nicaragua.

UN Decolonization Push: The Sahrawi cause drew strong backing at the UN Committee of 24 seminar in Managua, with multiple countries urging full respect for the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination and independence. Human Rights Under Scrutiny: A joint statement says the UN Committee Against Torture found Morocco used torture and ill-treatment against Gdeim Izik detainees and relied on coerced confessions, while detainees reportedly remain in harsh conditions for years. Sahrawi Voices in Europe: In Ireland, the Irish Trade Union Congress heard from Sahrawi labor representatives and Polisario officials calling for ending suffering through international legitimacy and self-determination. Diplomatic Signals: Algeria’s foreign minister, Ahmed Attaf, said Algeria now supports direct Morocco–Polisario talks under UN and US auspices, framing any solution around Sahrawi self-determination. Regional Spotlight: Morocco’s Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra region launched a territorial health group as part of healthcare reform, with officials stressing improved coordination and local planning. Weather Watch: Heatwave alerts continue across Morocco, including Laayoune and southern provinces, with temperatures reaching the mid-40s.

UN Torture Findings on Gdeim Izik: Human rights groups and lawyers say the UN Committee Against Torture has condemned Moroccan torture and ill-treatment of Sahrawi detainees, including Gdeim Izik members, alleging forced confessions used in convictions. Diplomacy Shift in Algiers: Algeria’s foreign minister Ahmed Attaf says Algiers now supports direct Morocco–POLISARIO talks under UN and US auspices, framing a “just, lasting” solution that must preserve Sahrawi self-determination. POLISARIO at UN C-24 Forum: POLISARIO’s UN representative Sidi Mohamed Omar told a C-24 seminar in Nicaragua that Sahrawi people will not accept colonial “fait accompli,” calling for an end to occupation and a UN-supervised referendum. Regional Solidarity: The Congolese Communist Party and other anti-fascist voices reiterated support for Sahrawi self-determination, condemning rights abuses under occupation. Tourism Push Under Scrutiny: Reports highlight Morocco’s growing tourism drive in Western Sahara, including a surge in arrivals and new airline routes—sparking renewed legal and ethical debate. Heatwave Alerts: Morocco’s meteorology service issued orange-level heat warnings affecting Laayoune and other southern provinces.

UN Decolonization Diplomacy: Frente POLISARIO UN representative Dr. Sidi Mohamed Omar told a C-24 seminar in Managua that Sahrawis will not accept any colonial fait accompli and renewed the call for a UN-supervised referendum on self-determination. Human Rights Spotlight: In Russia, POLISARIO and allied political parties again denounced Morocco’s occupation, citing repression and the “Wall of Shame,” while UN-linked reporting also highlights alleged torture and coerced confessions in Gdeim Izik cases. Regional Outreach: A Sahrawi delegation held bilateral talks in Managua with Nicaragua’s foreign minister, delivering a letter from Polisario leadership on the UN peace process. Morocco’s Global Push: A coalition of 40 countries backed Morocco’s sovereignty stance at the UN Human Rights Council, pointing to Morocco’s autonomy plan and new consulates in Laayoune and Dakhla. Tourism vs Law: New reporting says Morocco-controlled Western Sahara tourism has surged over 50% since 2019, driven by new European flights—sparking renewed debate over international law and legitimacy. Weather Watch: Heatwave alerts continue across Morocco’s southern provinces including Laayoune and Boujdour, with temperatures reaching the mid-40s.