Morocco and the Polisario Front have officially accepted a roadmap negotiated by the United States in Madrid regarding the future status of Western Sahara. This development comes after a multilateral dialogue endorsed by the US and coordinated with the United Nations took place in Madrid, where representatives from Morocco, the Polisario Front, Algeria, and Mauritania participated. The talks aimed to operationalize United Nations Security Council Resolution adopted in October, addressing longstanding issues surrounding the former Spanish province.

As a significant step, this marks the first direct negotiations about Western Sahara since 2019, highlighting the urgency and importance of finding a political solution to the protracted conflict. According to statements from Moroccan and Sahrawi media sources, the agreement sets the framework for future discussions, with a subsequent meeting planned for May in Washington, aiming for a political agreement that could pave the way for increased stability in the region.

This process reflects a broader geopolitical interest, particularly from the United States, in resolving the Western Sahara issue. As the conflict has significant implications for regional stability and relations between Morocco, Algeria, and the Polisario Front, successfully negotiating peace could lead to enhanced diplomatic ties and development opportunities in North Africa. However, the long history of distrust and unresolved grievances between the parties means that the upcoming negotiations will be a critical point for potential outcomes.