In his latest report on the situation in Western Sahara, the UN Secretary-General addressed the construction of a road linking Amgala to Bir Oum Grine in Mauritania. Much to the Polisario's dismay, the United Nations did not issue any condemnation of the project undertaken by Morocco. The United Nations Secretary-General has presented a report to the Security Council on recent developments in Western Sahara, covering the period from October 2024 to September 2025. In the document, which Yabiladi reviewed, Antonio Guterres emphasized that «the situation on the ground remains tense, characterised by ongoing low-intensity hostilities between Morocco and the Polisario Front». Similar observations were made in his previous report in October 2024. Guterres noted that «most of the gunfire west of the sand wall, reported to MINURSO by the parties, was concentrated in the northern region near Mahbas. MINURSO was unable to directly confirm more than half of these reported incidents, and their impacts remain the subject of conflicting claims». The report refers to «four alleged incidents», adding that most of the verified fire «hit remote areas without causing significant damage». He also reported that «a series of four rocket explosions occurred on June 27 near MINURSO's operations base in Smara, with one landing about 200 meters from the base. Although there were no casualties, this incident marks the closest strike to a MINURSO facility since hostilities resumed in 2020». Following this incident, the «Special Representative of the Secretary-General and the Force Commander sent separate letters to the Polisario Front to express their deep concern and reiterate their call for a cessation of hostilities». The UN Does Not Condemn the Amgala–Bir Oum Grine Road Project The Secretary-General reported that «Morocco has completed the construction of a road approximately 93 kilometers long, not yet officially opened, linking Es-Smara to Mauritania by crossing the sand wall. This road would constitute a second crossing point to Mauritania, parallel to El Guerguerat». During a meeting with the MINURSO Force Commander in Agadir on February 19, the commander of the southern zone of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR) stated that the road «is intended for civilian use and has no connection to FAR operations». Moreover, Morocco's Minister of Equipment, Nizar Baraka, announced on September 20, during a political gathering in Es-Smara, that the road's opening «will take place in the next two weeks». Guterres Highlights Polisario's Restrictions The UN Secretary-General further pointed out that «the Polisario continues to restrict the movements of MINURSO's ground patrols to a distance of 20 kilometers from each operations base. In Tifariti and Mijek, patrols are limited to specific approved routes». He recalled that «since November 2020, the Polisario has not allowed MINURSO to conduct helicopter reconnaissance flights east of the sand wall». Guterres added that «the MINURSO Force Commander has still not been able to establish direct contact with the Polisario Front's military leaders. All communications are conducted in writing to the operations bases east of the sand wall and in Rabouni, near Tindouf, Algeria». The Front, he explained, insists that MINURSO meet its leaders in what it refers to as «liberated territories», a condition the UN rejects. «It Is Urgent to Break the Deadlock» Guterres also briefly mentioned meetings held by his Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, with the concerned parties, as well as his last two briefings to the Security Council in October 2024 and April 2025. In conclusion, the UN chief lamented «the persistence of circumstances on the ground that continue to hinder progress toward a political solution to the conflict». He added that «the fiftieth anniversary of the conflict, in November 2025, underscores the alarming situation that persists but also calls for renewed efforts toward an accelerated resolution of this long-standing dispute. It is urgent to break the deadlock». The Security Council is expected to adopt a new resolution on Western Sahara by the end of this month, a decision closely followed by all parties involved in the issue.
