Following Algeria's lead, the Polisario Front issued an official statement in which it «took note of the joint statement by the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of Morocco, particularly the part concerning the Sahara issue». Echoing Algeria's position, the separatist front expressed «deep regret and disappointment» at what it described as «the United Kingdom, a permanent member of the Security Council, abandoning its traditionally balanced stance on the Sahara conflict», criticizing London's praise of the «Moroccan proposal» for autonomy as «serious and credible». The Polisario reiterated its commitment to what it called «the only consensual solution»—the «joint settlement plan between the United Nations and the Organization of African Unity»—arguing that any alternative path «lacks international legitimacy», despite the fact that Security Council resolutions have long moved beyond this plan. In its statement, the front warned that «lasting peace in the region cannot be achieved by rewarding the policy of expansion and seizure of lands by force, but through respect for international law and the principle of peoples' right to self-determination». The Polisario called on the United Kingdom to «play its role in encouraging a serious peace process under the United Nations' auspices, ensuring the Sahrawi people's inalienable right to self-determination and independence». Following Algeria's stance, the separatist front stressed that «the United Kingdom has not recognized Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara», adding that London «reaffirmed in its joint statement its commitment to the rules of the international order, its support for the principle of self-determination, and its rejection of violations of the United Nations Charter». For its part, the Algerian Foreign Ministry had earlier expressed «regret» over what it described as a «deviation» in the UK's position, noting that the joint statement «avoided mentioning any recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara».
