The United States has facilitated rare talks between long-time rivals Morocco and Algeria over the future of Western Sahara, in a renewed push to revive diplomatic efforts to resolve one of Africa’s longest-running territorial disputes.
According to a statement, the discussions were held in Madrid and brought together representatives from Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania, and the Polisario Front. Senior delegations from the United States and the United Nations were also present, underscoring international interest in de-escalating tensions in the strategically significant territory.
The talks focused on the implementation of a recent United Nations Security Council resolution on Western Sahara, with participants exploring pathways to advance a political solution after years of stalemate. Western Sahara, a vast Atlantic-facing territory rich in natural resources, has been claimed by Morocco, while Algeria supports the Polisario Front, which has led a decades-long campaign for the region’s independence.
The dispute has strained relations across North Africa for decades and remains a major source of instability in the region. Morocco annexed Western Sahara following Spain’s withdrawal in 1975, triggering a 16-year conflict with the Polisario Front that left an estimated 9,000 people dead. A UN-brokered ceasefire in 1991 largely held for nearly 30 years before collapsing in late 2020, reigniting fears of renewed armed confrontation.
Relations between Morocco and Algeria deteriorated further in 2021, when the two countries severed diplomatic ties amid rising tensions linked to Western Sahara and Morocco’s decision to normalise relations with Israel. Since then, the conflict has increasingly drawn in external actors, reflecting its broader geopolitical implications.
France publicly backed Morocco’s claim of sovereignty over Western Sahara in July 2024, a move strongly opposed by Algeria. Other countries, including Ghana and the United Kingdom, have also expressed support for Morocco’s position, while Algeria continues to champion the Polisario Front’s push for self-determination.
The U.S.-convened talks mark one of the few instances in recent years where all key parties to the dispute have engaged in the same forum. While no immediate breakthrough was announced, analysts see the meeting as a cautious but significant step toward reducing regional tensions and reopening diplomatic channels around the Western Sahara issue.
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