Under pressure from the United States, diplomatic lines are shifting radically on the Western Sahara issue. On February 8 and 9, a crucial meeting in Madrid brought together Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania, and the Polisario Front. The objective: to discuss an updated version of the Moroccan autonomy plan .

The shift from "referendum" to "autonomy"

According to the analysis of François Soudan (editor-in-chief of Jeune Afrique ), the current process marks a major turning point. Since UN resolution 2797 in October 2025, the option of total independence is considered obsolete .

The framework for discussion now revolves around internal autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty , where:

1. The region manages local affairs and interests.
2. Rabat retains sovereign powers (defense, diplomacy, currency).

Institutional points of friction

Although the plan includes an elected assembly, an amnesty for Polisario leaders and the return of refugees from Tindouf, several obstacles remain:

1. The appointment of the local leader: The text stipulates that the head of the executive be appointed by King Mohammed VI, while Algiers and the Polisario demand an election.
2. The electorate: Morocco wants all Moroccans to vote to validate this status, while the other side wants to restrict the vote to Sahrawis only.

Algeria faces a diplomatic dilemma

For Algiers, participating in these discussions in Madrid resembles a "road to Canossa". Long entrenched in the principle of self-determination, Algerian diplomacy seems forced to give in under pressure from Washington.

"This is probably the price to pay to break out of a certain diplomatic isolation," François Soudan points out.

President Tebboune will now have to prepare his public for what appears to be a historic strategic shift . The United States hopes to finalize a political framework agreement at the next meeting scheduled for May.