us diplomat meets sahrawi peace advocates in western Sahara
A high-level meeting convened in El Aaiún this week as a senior U.S. embassy official engaged with the leadership of Sahrawis for Peace, marking a significant step in ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the Western Sahara conflict.
The gathering, held at the residence of Mohamed Lemine Nafa, a member of the movement’s permanent political commission, brought together key figures from Sahrawis for Peace alongside the U.S. political counselor. Organized at the request of the American diplomatic mission, the session served as a platform to exchange perspectives on the Western Sahara dossier.
During the meeting, representatives of the movement outlined their organizational trajectory over the past six years, emphasizing their commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflict. They also addressed inquiries from the U.S. delegation regarding the current state of the Western Sahara issue.
Leaders of Sahrawis for Peace underscored the necessity of including their organization in the United Nations-backed negotiation process. They argued that their movement represents a legitimate platform uniting Sahrawi voices advocating for a political and peaceful solution. The participants stressed that any credible negotiation framework must incorporate all segments of Sahrawi society to ensure sustainable outcomes.
The American diplomat acknowledged the movement’s constructive role, describing it as an influential Sahrawi voice advocating for negotiated solutions. He reaffirmed Washington’s opposition to prolonged stagnation in the conflict and highlighted U.S. support for initiatives aimed at revitalizing the political process toward a lasting resolution.
The U.S. official emphasized America’s alignment with voices within Western Sahara that prioritize stability and regional security, noting that such engagement contributes to breaking the cycle of confrontation that has hindered diplomatic progress in recent years.
This meeting follows a series of engagements between U.S. officials and Sahrawis for Peace, including a previous encounter in New York with permanent representatives from the U.S., France, and the U.K. at the United Nations.
The timing of the discussion coincides with the upcoming U.N. Security Council session reviewing the implementation of Resolution 2797. The resolution has garnered broad international consensus in favor of advancing a political and peaceful solution to the Western Sahara question.
