US facilitates Western Sahara talks in Madrid, involving key regional parties

2026-02-09 - 21:25

The United States has played a key role in convening talks among the main parties to the decades-long Western Sahara conflict. Senior U.S. and UN officials brought together delegations from Morocco, the Polisario Front, Algeria, and Mauritania in Madrid to discuss the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2797, which supports a UN-led political solution. First Major Talks Since 2019 This meeting marks the first significant gathering of the principal actors since negotiations stalled in 2019. The U.S. mission to the UN confirmed its facilitation role on social media, while UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric acknowledged the talks, noting the presence of UN envoy Staffan de Mistura. Specific details of the discussions were not disclosed, but the focus was on advancing the political process mandated by the UN. Background of the Dispute and Regional Tensions The Western Sahara conflict originated after Spain's colonial withdrawal in 1975, leading to war between Morocco and the Polisario Front until a 1991 ceasefire. Morocco, which controls most of the territory, proposes an autonomy plan under its sovereignty. The Polisario Front, backed by Algeria, demands a self-determination referendum. The dispute has kept the Morocco-Algeria border closed since 1994, with the recent U.S. diplomatic initiative being closely watched as a potential avenue to ease tensions. Broader Diplomatic Context The Madrid talks follow increased U.S. diplomatic engagement on the issue. In late 2025, the UN Security Council adopted a U.S.-backed resolution supporting Morocco's autonomy proposal. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff had previously indicated efforts to broker an agreement between Morocco and Algeria. While the immediate outcomes of the Madrid meeting are unclear, it represents a renewed international effort to break the diplomatic deadlock over the territory's future.