By Ayman Okeil
Reflecting on the practices of the Polisario Front and its leaders has led me to ponder the wisdom of the path they chose over fifty years ago, and how they have strayed, returning with empty hands after years of confusion, randomness, and promotion of an alleged project that was stifled in its infancy.
The resolution adopted by the Security Council, Resolution 2797 on October 31, 2025, which calls for a political solution based on King Mohammed VI’s initiative for autonomy under the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Morocco, has put an end to the dreams of Ibrahim Ghali and those around him, who have not matured politically and live under the influence of illusions of liberation and independence, without considering the cost or the fate of those individuals who risked their lives, their children’s lives, and their futures.
The Moroccan Sahara, located north of Mauritania, covers an area of 266,000 square kilometers. The Kingdom of Morocco controls more than 80% of the land to the west, while the Polisario Front controls less than 20% to the east, separated by a sandy strip and a buffer zone under the control of a United Nations peacekeeping force. This area has witnessed the confusion, randomness, and lack of vision of the Polisario Front, which has appointed itself as the guardian of those who saw the autonomy initiative as a foundation that would grant them and their children a prosperous and certain future.
There is no doubt that Resolution 2797 marks an undeniable turning point, requiring the Polisario to enter negotiations with the Kingdom of Morocco. I often ask myself: Why has the Polisario allowed the Sahara issue to be controlled by those who are unworthy and possess nothing? The problem lies with the state that finances and militarily and diplomatically supports the Polisario without any interest in finding a solution, unlike the Kingdom of Morocco, which views the resolution of this issue as a means to achieve stability not only in the Maghreb but also in the Sahel region.
I believe that Morocco’s pursuit of the United Nations for decades to mediate a resolution to this crisis is a clear indication of who seeks a solution and establishes peace, versus those clinging to fantasies buried in reality. Moreover, what has the Polisario done? Its leaders promoted an outdated project that has eroded due to the dictates of history, geography, and the Sahrawi identity, which is an integral part of Moroccan territory, causing them to lose everything, starting from the abandonment of the illusion propagated by the opportunists by some of the movement’s symbols.
I have never understood how a just cause could prevail through the killing of civilians and attacks on a city that accommodated even some leaders of the Polisario. They perpetrated horrendous attacks on the city of Tan-Tan in southern Morocco and kidnapped civilians and security personnel in 1979.
Testimonies from those who witnessed this attack indicate that they have not forgotten the brutality they experienced. This project serves as proof that recklessness, impulsiveness, uncalculated aspirations, and the fulfillment of others’ desires resulted in utter failure. They embody the saying Overanalyzing Something Obvious, meaning they have brought nothing new despite all their efforts.
From my perspective as a human rights advocate who closely monitors the practices in Tindouf and other areas controlled by the Polisario, the first victims of this recklessness are the individuals living in the refugee camps, who are not even allowed to meet with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights or the special envoys of the Secretary-General.
Additionally, the humanitarian aid that should be free from any conditions and designated for refugees in Tindouf has been redirected by the Polisario to be sold on the black market for the benefit of the Front’s leaders. Consequently, tens of thousands of individuals (there is no confirmed statistic so far) live in the Sahrawi refugee camps near Tindouf, burdened by harsh conditions and a life devoid of light, having resided for nearly half a century in dilapidated camps, trapped and deprived of any right to move freely. Therefore, I believe that the Kingdom of Morocco, through its proposal for autonomy, unequivocally demonstrates its readiness to find a solution that ensures peace, prosperity, and development for everyone in this region. Security Council Resolution 2797 confirmed that King Mohammed VI’s initiative for autonomy is the most realistic solution, far removed from the delusions propagated by the Polisario leaders and their supporters. King Mohammed VI’s speech following Resolution 2797 was revealing, declaring a unified Morocco from Tangier to Lagouira and asserting that Morocco is in its Sahara, and the Sahara will remain in Morocco.
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