Since his appointment as the UN envoy for the Moroccan Sahara in October 2021, Stefan de Mistura has seemingly moved from one failure to another, raising questions about his ability to provide innovative solutions to resolve the conflict.
His latest attempt involved reviving the 2002 proposal to divide the Sahara, which was firmly rejected by Morocco at the time and remains non-negotiable for Rabat.
A Dead Proposal: Revisiting an Old Failure
De Mistura’s decision to reintroduce the proposal to divide the Sahara reflects his confusion and lack of comprehensive understanding of the issue’s developments.
While this proposal had previously sparked Algeria’s and the Polisario Front’s willingness to discuss it, Morocco has always rejected it, viewing it as a threat to its territorial integrity.
Why, then, did de Mistura choose to bring this proposal back to the table? Was he seeking a way out of the stalemate in the negotiations, or does he simply lack a realistic vision for resolving the conflict?
Attempts to Break the Stalemate
Rather than seeking solutions grounded in the new international reality, which sees growing global support for Morocco’s autonomy plan under its sovereignty, de Mistura seems to be trying every proposal in his arsenal, even those that have already been rejected.
Morocco has long made its position clear: autonomy is the only acceptable solution to end the conflict, as evidenced by increasing international backing, including from the United States and France.
Diplomatic Missteps
De Mistura’s visit to South Africa, a staunch supporter of the Polisario Front, raised questions about the purpose of the trip. South Africa is not a direct party to the conflict, and there was no clear justification for involving it in the issue.
Was the UN envoy trying to gain new support for the conflicting parties, or was he acting under pressure from certain groups? And why did he ignore the growing international consensus supporting Morocco?
Dividing the Sahara: A Solution or a Complication?
The proposal for division that de Mistura has reintroduced appears to be completely out of touch with reality. How can one divide a region whose unity has been solidified through the autonomy proposal? How can a UN envoy overlook the historical, geographical, and political facts affirming Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara? These questions cast doubt on de Mistura’s understanding of the issue and his ability to present proposals that align with the facts on the ground.
Does de Mistura Acknowledge His Failure?
After years of diplomatic efforts on complex issues like Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan, it seems de Mistura faces an even greater challenge in managing the Moroccan Sahara issue. Reintroducing outdated, unworkable proposals may be an attempt to cover up his failure to achieve tangible progress.
Will the UN envoy acknowledge his failure? And can he present a new vision that goes beyond old, rejected solutions?
The Future of the Political Conflict: What Role for de Mistura?
In light of recent developments and the recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara by major powers, de Mistura seems to be in a difficult position.
The ongoing political deadlock reflects his inability to make any progress, while Morocco’s initiatives, especially autonomy, are gaining increasing support.
How can the UN envoy continue his mission without considering this shift? Is there really a future role for de Mistura in resolving the conflict?
