US Congress moves to designate Polisario as a terrorist organization

Republican Congressman Joe Wilson, joined by Democratic Representative Jimmy Panetta, has introduced a bipartisan bill to the US Congress seeking to designate the Polisario Front as a foreign terrorist organization. Titled the “Polisario Front Terrorist Designation Act,” the legislation aims to expose the group’s alleged connections to extremist networks, arms smuggling, and destabilizing activities in North Africa and the Sahel region.

A bipartisan push for action

The bill, submitted on June 24, now awaits review by the Foreign Affairs and Justice Committees. Announcing the filing through his X account, Congressman Wilson described the Polisario as a “Marxist militia” supported by Iran, Hezbollah, and Russia, which he claims uses the group to gain a strategic foothold in Africa and destabilize Morocco—a key US ally for nearly 250 years.

Wilson emphasized that the legislation reflects years of advocacy to hold the Polisario accountable for its alleged actions. The bill accuses the group of violating ceasefire agreements, engaging in arms and drug trafficking, and targeting Moroccan civilians in the Sahara region.

Alleged ties to extremists and regional destabilization

The legislation highlights the Polisario’s purported links to jihadist networks and its role in regional instability. According to multiple American think tanks, including the Hudson Institute, the group aligns itself with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Hezbollah, and Russian-backed entities. These connections, the report claims, provide the Polisario with drones and other military resources, which are allegedly smuggled to Sahel insurgencies that threaten US interests.

The Hudson Institute also points to evidence of the Polisario’s involvement in youth indoctrination, arms trafficking, and jihadist recruitment, particularly in Algeria's Tindouf camps. The camps, controlled by Algeria, are described as a sanctuary for radicalization and illicit activities. A recent analysis by The Daily Signal further supports claims that the group taxes smuggling routes and collaborates with extremist networks across the Sahel.

Global security implications

If passed, the legislation would impose severe sanctions on the Polisario, freezing its assets, banning financial transactions, and isolating it diplomatically. The group would join the ranks of other designated terrorist organizations like Al-Qaeda, Hezbollah, and ISIS.

The bill also underscores the broader implications for US policy in North Africa. It reinforces Washington’s recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over Sahara and its autonomy plan as the only viable solution to the decades-long conflict. This aligns with a firm stance taken during the Trump administration, which has since become a cornerstone of US foreign policy under the second Trump government.

Mounting international pressure

The Polisario faces increasing isolation on the global stage. Reports from the Hudson Institute and other sources highlight the group’s involvement in a 2017 ambush in Niger, which killed four US soldiers, and its role in facilitating attacks on Moroccan defensive positions. International publications, including The Washington Post, have revealed that Iran trained Polisario militants to fight in Syria alongside the Assad regime, further cementing its ties to extremist entities.

With growing support for Morocco’s sovereignty from countries like the UK, France, and Spain, the Polisario’s narrative is losing credibility. A Spanish think tank recently described the movement as a relic of Cold War-era geopolitics sustained by external agendas rather than historical legitimacy.

A decisive moment for US foreign policy

Congressman Wilson’s push for the bill comes amid heightened concerns over Iran and Russia’s influence in Africa. By targeting the Polisario, the US aims to counteract destabilizing forces in the region while solidifying its alliance with Morocco. As Wilson stated, “The U.S. stands with Morocco for peace,” reiterating the Kingdom’s strategic importance to international security frameworks.

Observers view the legislation as a critical step toward resolving the Sahara dispute, marking a potential turning point in one of Africa’s most protracted conflicts.