August 2, 2026

Ouaga Press

Independent English-language coverage of Burkina Faso's most pressing news and developments.

Us diplomat meets sahrawi peace advocates in western Sahara talks

us diplomat meets sahrawi peace advocates in western Sahara talks

A high-level meeting took place in El Aaiún this week as a senior official from the United States embassy in Morocco engaged with leadership from the Sahrawi peace movement, marking another step in ongoing bilateral efforts to address the Western Sahara conflict.

A productive discussion unfolded in Laayoune at the residence of Mohamed Lemine Nafa, a permanent member of the movement’s political commission, following a formal invitation extended by the American diplomatic mission. The gathering brought together key figures and representatives of the Sahrawi peace organization.

During the session, leaders from Sahrawis for Peace outlined their organizational journey over the past six years and presented their comprehensive framework for resolving the territorial dispute. They also fielded detailed questions from the U.S. delegation regarding the current status of the Western Sahara dossier.

The movement’s representatives emphasized the importance of integrating Sahrawis for Peace into the United Nations-led negotiation process, arguing that it represents a legitimate platform for Sahrawi voices advocating for a peaceful and political resolution. They stressed that any sustainable settlement must include all segments of Sahrawi society in the dialogue.

The U.S. political counselor conveyed Washington’s strong determination to break the current deadlock and achieve a lasting solution. The envoy reiterated America’s opposition to maintaining the status quo and underscored support for diplomatic initiatives that could revive the political process toward a definitive outcome.

The American diplomat praised the work of Sahrawis for Peace, describing it as an influential Sahrawi voice committed to negotiated solutions. He affirmed that the U.S. places particular value on supporting Sahrawi stakeholders who prioritize agreements that ensure regional stability and security, helping to unlock diplomatic avenues that have long been hindered by confrontation.

This meeting follows a series of engagements between the United States and Sahrawis for Peace, including a recent New York gathering where the movement’s delegation met with the U.N. ambassadors from the U.S., France, and the United Kingdom.

The talks coincide with the eve of a U.N. Security Council session reviewing the implementation of resolution 2797, which has gained broad international consensus in favor of advancing a political and peaceful solution to the Western Sahara question.