Frente POLISARIO Questions UN Envoy’s Neutrality Over Western Sahara Autonomy

The Frente POLISARIO has issued a formal press statement questioning the strict neutrality of Staffan de Mistura, the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Western Sahara. Following a high-level meeting with UN Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo in New York, Dr. Sidi Mohamed Omar, the movement’s representative to the United Nations, outlined serious objections to de Mistura’s briefing during closed Security Council consultations. According to primary reporting by the Sahara Press Service, the Sahrawi leadership criticized the envoy for endorsing Morocco’s autonomy proposal. Consequently, the Frente POLISARIO warned that continued departures from core UN principles will force the movement to reconsider its engagement with the mediator.

In an official letter sent to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, SADR President Brahim Ghali detailed concerns regarding the Personal Envoy’s operational departure from established UN legal standards. Sahrawi officials emphasized that de Mistura’s alignment with Moroccan claims compromises his mandate as an independent and impartial international mediator. Additional coverage from the Sahara Press Service highlights that the delegation handed over formal correspondence recalling previous requests from March and September for strict adherence to international decolonization frameworks. Furthermore, the leadership reiterated that departing from neutrality severely weakens mutual trust within the peace process.

Despite raising fundamental concerns regarding the Personal Envoy, the Frente POLISARIO reaffirmed its dedication to cooperating with broader UN peace efforts. The organization stressed that achieving complete decolonization remains essential for Western Sahara, which it maintains is the last remaining colony in Africa. According to direct documentation from the Polisario Representation to the UN, the movement continues to demand a legitimate, UN-supervised framework that ensures the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination. Ultimately, the Sahrawi leadership insists that any viable peace framework must adhere strictly to the UN Charter and relevant Security Council resolutions.