Sahara: New U.S. diplomatic offensive to restart dialogue

Saturday 21 February 2026 - 12:58

By: Sahili Aya

Sahara: New U.S. diplomatic offensive to restart dialogue

The Sahara issue is witnessing a notable acceleration on the international stage with the organization, in Washington, of a new series of talks scheduled for February 23–24. This American initiative, the third meeting within a month, demonstrates a clear intention to revive a political process long marked by diplomatic stagnation.

Led by U.S. envoy Massad Boulos, these consultations will bring together the foreign ministers of Morocco, Algeria, and Mauritania, as well as representatives of the Polisario Front. The chosen small-format approach aims to facilitate direct and confidential exchanges on the most sensitive issues, with the goal of identifying areas of convergence.

Washington at the center of diplomatic efforts

U.S. engagement forms part of a strategy to revitalize international discussions on this regional dispute. According to multiple consistent sources, the American administration aims to quickly test possible compromise margins, believing that a close rhythm of meetings can prevent further deadlock.

This sequence continues from earlier diplomatic encounters held earlier this month, notably in Madrid, where delegations from all four parties held direct talks under American and UN supervision. This rare quadripartite format marks a return to a multilateral negotiation method abandoned for several years.

Resolution 2797 as a new international framework

Current discussions refer to UN Security Council Resolution 2797, adopted in October 2025, which redefines the parameters of the political process. This text explicitly identifies the stakeholders and highlights the autonomy proposal presented by Rabat as a basis for discussion.

For American diplomats, any lasting progress must now fit within this framework, designed to facilitate a consensual political solution in line with international dispute-resolution standards.

Regional autonomy at the core of talks

Central to the discussions is an updated version of the autonomy project promoted by Morocco. This model envisions the creation of regional institutions with expanded powers—particularly in social, administrative, and economic matters—while retaining sovereign domains such as defense, diplomacy, and currency under national authority.

Proponents present this approach as a way to bridge positions. The Polisario Front, for its part, continues to express reservations, particularly regarding popular consultation mechanisms and international guarantees linked to a potential agreement.

Shifting geopolitical balances

Washington’s direct involvement is reshaping the traditional map of the issue. U.S. centrality tends to reposition discussions around the federal capital, while other international actors take a more discreet role at this stage.

In this context, American diplomats reportedly encourage some flexibility on symbolic aspects related to regional identity, believing that gestures in this domain could facilitate the emergence of a comprehensive compromise.

A decisive but uncertain step

While no immediate agreement is expected, this series of meetings is seen as a pivotal moment. The sustained pace of consultations reflects a desire to quickly explore available diplomatic options and avoid prolonged stagnation.

The outcome will ultimately depend on the ability of the parties to reconcile their positions on key issues. In this sensitive dossier, every step forward relies on a delicate balance between political demands, legal guarantees, and regional stability imperatives.