Latest news with #PolisarioFront
Morocco World
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Morocco World
US Congressman Joe Wilson Officially Introduces Bill to Designate Polisario as Terrorist Group
Marrakech – Republican Congressman Joe Wilson, alongside Democratic Representative Jimmy Panetta, has submitted a bipartisan bill to the US Congress seeking to classify the Polisario Front as a foreign terrorist group. The congressman formally submitted the legislation titled 'Polisario Front Terrorist Designation Act' to the House of Representatives on June 24. It now sits before both the Foreign Affairs and Justice Committees for thorough examination. Wilson revealed the initiative through his X account, labeling the Polisario as 'a Marxist militia backed by Iran, Hezbollah and Russia providing Iran a strategic outpost in Africa and destabilizing the Kingdom of Morocco, a US ally for 248 years.' The congressman, who fulfilled a promise he had repeated many times, expressed gratification at introducing this cross-party legislation with Rep. Jimmy Panetta to brand the Polisario as a foreign terrorist organization. The comprehensive bill directly implicates the separatist movement in extensive arms and drug trafficking networks throughout the Sahel region, deliberate violations of established ceasefire agreements with Morocco, and calculated attacks targeting Moroccan civilians in Saharan border territories. The legislation meticulously documents connections between the Polisario and various extremist organizations operating in the region, bolstered by support from Iran, Hezbollah, and Russia – relationships that pose direct threats to regional and international stability. The Polisario is a Marxist militia backed by Iran, Hezbollah and Russia providing Iran a strategic outpost in Africa and destabilizing the Kingdom of Morocco, a U.S. ally for 248 years. Grateful to introduce bipartisan legislation with @RepJimmyPanetta to designate the Polisario… — Joe Wilson (@RepJoeWilson) June 26, 2025 Should this bill receive approval, it would trigger a fundamental shift in American foreign policy regarding North Africa, as Washington considers Morocco's position vital for international security frameworks. The legislation would expose the Polisario Front to stringent sanctions, severe economic restrictions, and complete diplomatic isolation, effectively categorizing it alongside notorious terrorist groups such as Al-Qaeda, Hezbollah, ISIS, and FARC. US under Trump's leadership propels push for final resolution of the Sahara dispute This decisive congressional action follows only two months after Washington's firm reaffirmation of support for Morocco's sovereignty over the Western Sahara. During an April 8 meeting in Washington, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita that the United States unequivocally recognizes Morocco's sovereignty over its southern provinces and backs the autonomy proposal 'as the only basis for a just and lasting solution to the dispute.' The statement dealt a heavy blow to the Cold War relic narrative and its chief sponsor, Algeria, which had mocked Trump's initial recognition as 'just a tweet,' only to watch it solidify even further under the second Trump administration, leaving no doubt about Washington's unwavering commitment. The State Department subsequently reinforced this position in an official diplomatic communiqué, stating: 'The United States would contribute to any progress toward achieving this goal.' Observers described the declaration as a pivotal moment that closed the door on any illusions of a reversal. With Trump back in power, Washington's endorsement has shifted from symbolic recognition to an institutional pillar of US foreign policy, and is now pushing decisively to resolve the decades-long fabricated Western Sahara dispute. A Spanish think tank report published by Instituto Coordenadas de Gobernanza y Economía Aplicada on June 11 noted that this firm American stance, coupled with pressure on Algeria to dismantle the Tindouf camps, marks the beginning of the end for the separatist narrative. This momentum could draw a definitive close to one of Africa's most unnecessarily prolonged and politically manufactured territorial falsehoods, long sustained by external agendas rather than historical legitimacy. A resolute ally who honored his word Wilson has consistently criticized external support for the Polisario Front. During a public session of Congress in January, he directly accused several nations of enabling the separatist group: 'War criminal Putin, Iran, and Cuba are actively destabilizing West Africa by supporting the Polisario Front, a threat to the Kingdom of Morocco,' Wilson declared, while powerfully reaffirming Morocco's role as a steadfast and indispensable American ally. In the same address, he reminded colleagues that 'President Donald Trump stood with Morocco, recognizing Western Sahara as Moroccan,' and noted his role as chair of the US-Morocco Caucus. He also denounced, at the time, Algeria's provocative hosting of 'terrorist-designated Kurdish separatists to meet with Polisario militia in Tindouf,' specifically referencing the 'notorious PKK and YPG' visit to the camps. Wilson had repeatedly telegraphed his intentions regarding this legislation and consistently vowed to hold those enabling the separatists accountable. Following his April 9 meeting with Bourita, Wilson wrote , 'Grateful to meet with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita to discuss our long-standing partnership and commitment to peace in the region, including the stability of Western Sahara from Polisario terrorists. The U.S. stands with Morocco for peace.' Just two days later, he confirmed on X: 'I will introduce legislation to designate the Polisario as terrorists. Iran & Putin are gaining a foothold in Africa via Polisario. Connect the dots: axis of aggression.' The congressman has maintained unwavering determination, vowing on May 22: 'The legislation is coming soon,' while adding the pointed assurance that 'Trump will fix it.' Proof that eradicates all ambiguity surrounding the Polisario's true nature Multiple prestigious American think tanks have assembled overwhelming evidence supporting the terrorist designation. The Hudson Institute's comprehensive analysis has shattered the Polisario's self-portrayal as a liberation movement, instead revealing it as 'a destabilizing militia' steeped in arms smuggling and youth indoctrination, while 'aligning itself with the strategic agendas of Iran, Russia, and China.' The report, authored by Zineb Riboua, meticulously documents how the Polisario's activities 'go far beyond the standard for a terror designation.' According to the Hudson Institute's analysis, the Polisario Front conclusively meets all three statutory criteria for designation as a Foreign Terrorist Organization under US law. Most alarmingly, the institute confirms the separatist group 'receives drones from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) through transfers facilitated by the Algerian regime' and 'smuggles arms to jihadist insurgencies that threaten American forces across the Sahel.' The report specifically highlights the case of Adnan Abu Walid al-Sahrawi, who reportedly held a role in the Polisario before becoming the emir of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS). Under his leadership, ISGS carried out numerous attacks across the Sahel, including a 2017 ambush in Niger that killed four US soldiers. This trajectory 'underscores how militant ecosystems in the region overlap and evolve' and demonstrates that 'the Polisario's political infrastructure in Tindouf has long facilitated radicalization, trafficking, and terrorist mobilization.' In a landmark May 21 analysis for The Daily Signal titled 'Why the US Must Confront Terror Proxy Polisario Front,' Robert Greenway, director of the Allison Center for National Security, and Amine Ghoulidi, visiting fellow at the Shelby Cullom Davis Institute for National Security and Foreign Policy, presented devastating evidence of the group's terrorist activities. 'Today, Polisario fighters field Iranian-type drones, share desert corridors with Russian proxies' supply convoys, and tax smuggling routes that feed Sahel jihadists. All this takes place within missile range of the Strait of Gibraltar, one of the world's most critical maritime choke points,' they write. The experts remind Washington of a troubling precedent: 'In 1988, Polisario missiles brought down two U.S. Agency for International Development aircraft, killing five Americans—and the U.S. failed to respond with sanctions.' The analysts warn that since the 2020 unilateral withdrawal from the UN-brokered ceasefire, Polisario has declared the Western Sahara a 'zone of war,' resumed rocket attacks along Morocco's defensive berm, and explicitly warned that 'foreign consulates, airlines, and companies were 'legitimate targets.'' Their analysis identifies the three pillars supporting Polisario's operations: 'Iranian military assistance, a growing Russian influence network, and a mature trans-Sahel illicit economy that overlaps with jihadist financing streams.' The authors note that Algeria's sanctuary allows Polisario to 'stockpile ordnance, experiment with new systems, and cultivate external sponsors at minimal risk,' while maintaining a force of roughly 8,000 fighters with potential to mobilize up to 40,000 – 'a manpower pool that Polisario commanders can draw on and which jihadist recruiters have already probed.' The National Interest published a comprehensive analysis on June 9, stressing that more countries are adopting Morocco's security approach to safeguard its southern provinces and prevent the region from becoming home to a 'jihadist government.' The publication stated, 'The Polisario has, in recent years, aligned itself with some of the most radical actors in the region,' recalling how Tindouf has become a breeding ground for 'jihadist recruitment and a nexus for extremist networks operating across the Sahel.' The Washington Post has published explosive revelations documenting hundreds of Polisario mercenaries dispatched by Iran to fight alongside the Syrian regime. In its April 12 edition, the newspaper stated: 'Iran has trained fighters from the Polisario Front, a rebel group based in Algeria that is fighting for Western Sahara's independence from Morocco. Hundreds of these fighters are currently detained by the new Syrian security forces.' The report cited direct testimony from these security forces and Western diplomats stationed in the region, providing incontrovertible confirmation of long-standing Moroccan assertions regarding the dangerous nexus between Iran, Hezbollah, and the Polisario, facilitated through Algerian channels. The proposed legislation would impose crippling consequences on the Polisario terror group, including complete asset freezes, absolute prohibition of financial or political interactions with its supporters, and implementation of targeted sanctions. This designation would also significantly complicate diplomatic relations with Algeria, the primary state sponsor and sanctuary provider for the violent separatist movement. Mounting evidence and a surging global consensus are isolating the Polisario. With the UK joining the US, France, and Spain in recognizing Moroccan sovereignty, over 120 nations now back the Autonomy Plan as the only credible path to end the conflict. Read also: Is this the end of the Polisario?
Ya Biladi
a day ago
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Morocco to host Syrian President Ahmed Al-Charaa for official visit
Morocco is preparing to welcome Syrian President Ahmed Al-Charaa in the coming weeks. «On the agenda for this official visit: talks with King Mohammed VI and the reopening of the Syrian embassy in Rabat», a well-informed source told Yabiladi. It's worth noting that Syria's diplomatic mission in Morocco has been closed since July 2012, following Rabat's decision to expel the last ambassador of Bashar Al-Assad's regime. «Cooperation agreements are expected to be signed during the visit, in the presence of both heads of state. Moroccan and Syrian officials have been working on these agreements for several months. The Moroccan side has identified specific areas where it can support the new authorities in Damascus», the same source added. In a congratulatory message sent on February 4 to mark Ahmed Al-Charaa's appointment as President of the Syrian Arab Republic during the transitional period, King Mohammed VI reaffirmed Morocco's support for the Syrian people during «this delicate and decisive stage of their history», in line with the Kingdom's longstanding position in favor of Syria's territorial integrity and national sovereignty. On May 27, President Ahmed Al-Charaa's government cut ties with the Polisario Front. In the presence of Moroccan representatives, the new Syrian authorities declared the separatist group persona non grata and shut down its offices in Damascus.
Ya Biladi
a day ago
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Geneva meeting urges UN to grant «refugee status» to Sahrawis in Tindouf
On the sidelines of the 59th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, held from June 16 to July 9, a meeting focused on the right of return for Sahrawis was held on June 25 in Geneva, organized by international advocacy groups. «The conference aimed to advocate for the right of return of Sahrawis held in the Tindouf camps in Algeria», Abdelouahab Gaïn, president of the Africa Watch Human Rights Association, told Yabiladi. «These camps are the scene of ongoing human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, rape, torture, and degrading treatment that undermines human dignity», said Gaïn, who took part in the meeting. Participants called on the international community to intervene and ensure the protection of those held in the Tindouf camps, in line with international human rights conventions and the resolutions of the UN Human Rights Council. Gaïn also noted that an appeal had been made to UN special rapporteurs on human rights to urge Algeria to conduct a census of the population in the camps. Mustapha Salma's Call from Mauritania The Africa Watch president also deplored the fact that residents of the Tindouf camps are still denied refugee status in accordance with the 1951 Geneva Convention and its 1967 Protocol. This status would allow displaced persons the option to return to their country of origin or settle in a host country. Gaïn emphasized that the camp population is also denied freedom of movement. Permits to leave the camps are issued sparingly by Algerian authorities and the Polisario Front. Thousands of kilometers away, Mustapha Salma—an outspoken critic of the Polisario leadership since his fallout with the group in 2010—echoed this concern on the occasion of World Refugee Day, marked each year on June 20. He recalled UN Security Council resolutions calling on Algeria to register Sahrawis living in the camps. «Refugee status is a contract between the host country and the asylum seeker, coordinated through the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees)», he explained on social media. «Once the application is approved, the UNHCR assumes responsibility for the refugee, in coordination with the host country and its institutions». Salma warned that such a development is deeply feared by the Polisario. «Stripped of its authority over the Sahrawis in the Tindouf camps, the Polisario Front would no longer be able to freely recruit them or exploit them for its political agenda», said the exile, currently based in Mauritania.
LeMonde
4 days ago
- Politics
- LeMonde
Algeria seeks 10-year sentence for writer Sansal on appeal
Algeria's prosecutor general sought at an appeal hearing on Tuesday, June 24, 10 years in prison for writer Boualem Sansal, doubling his current sentence. The dual French-Algerian writer, whose case has been at the heart of a diplomatic row between the two countries, was sentenced to five years imprisonment on March 27. Sansal, known for his criticism of Algerian authorities as well as of Islamists, was arrested in November and stood trial for undermining Algeria's territorial integrity, after saying in an interview with a far-right French media outlet that France unfairly ceded Moroccan territory to Algeria during the colonial era. The statement echoed a long-standing Moroccan claim, and was viewed by Algeria as an affront to its national sovereignty. On March 27, a court in Dar El Beida sentenced him to a five-year prison term and fined him 500,000 Algerian dinars ($3,730). French President Emmanuel Macron has urged his Algerian counterpart Abdelmadjid Tebboune to show "mercy and humanity" towards Sansal, while Algiers insists the writer has been afforded due process. Sansal's conviction and sentence further frayed ties between Paris and Algiers, already strained by migration issues and Macron's recognition last year of Moroccan sovereignty over the disputed territory of Western Sahara, which is claimed by the Algeria-backed pro-independence Polisario Front.
Morocco World
5 days ago
- Politics
- Morocco World
Algeria State Media Brands US ‘Terrorist' While Militaries Cooperate Closely
Algeria's El Chourouk newspaper has launched a blistering attack on the US, labeling America as a 'terrorist entity.' This incendiary rhetoric comes despite Algiers' deepening military cooperation with Washington. The lengthy editorial, published following recent US airstrikes on Iran, accuses Washington of serial violations of international law. It condemns America's 'imperialist arrogance' concerning Iraq and Iran while attacking the UN Security Council as a tool of Western powers. This narrative, unfolding within the opaque and highly politicized security apparatus of the Islamic Republic, shows Algeria's deepening alignment with Tehran's regional axis, a reality it seeks to obscure through diversionary attacks on the US. The piece particularly spoke about US support for Israel, framing it as evidence of America's 'Zionist-terrorist' alliance. Yet, this vitriolic condemnation stands in stark contrast to recent actions by Algeria's own government. Just months before the article's publication, Algerian Ambassador to Washington Sabri Boukadoum told US media that security cooperation between the two countries had 'no limits,' enthusiastically stating: 'The sky is the limit for our partnership.' Algerian political analyst Oualid Kebir has sharply criticized this flagrant contradiction, calling Algeria 'the largest rogue state in contemporary history,' in a post on X. 'This is textbook hypocrisy,' Kebir added. 'When you call your military partner a 'terrorist entity' while conducting joint exercises and sharing intelligence, you completely undermine your credibility on the international stage.' While Algeria's state media hysterically denounces the US as a 'terrorist state,' its regime shamelessly bankrolls and arms the Polisario Front, the separatist group in Western Sahara that has been repeatedly drawn alarm on the international stage for its acts of terrorism. This glaring hypocrisy shows Algiers' true agenda which is to destabilize North Africa through proxy militias while posing as an anti-imperialist champion. Even as Algeria lectures about 'international law,' it violates every principle by sheltering the Polisario, which embezzles vital humanitarian aid to the Tindouf camp refugees to maintain its anti-Morocco agenda. Tags: AlgeriatebbouneterrorismUS
