After initially rejecting the Security Council resolution adopted on October 31, the Polisario Front appears to be reconsidering its stance. The movement is now seeking «a visit» to the Tindouf camps or «an invitation» from Staffan de Mistura, the UN Secretary-General's personal envoy for Western Sahara, to reengage in the negotiation process that the UN aims to relaunch in the coming weeks. This shift was disclosed by a Polisario "minister" who spoke on condition of anonymity to a Sahrawi media outlet. The official suggested that a new round of discussions among the stakeholders could commence «around mid-January». The United States has expressed its willingness to host these talks. During a press briefing on November 5, Staffan de Mistura remarked that «the atmosphere is good, the momentum is going in the right direction. The real work begins now. Let's talk about it in a month». De Mistura further highlighted his expectation for Morocco to present «a developed and updated autonomy plan», while urging other parties to «submit proposals and suggestions», enabling the United Nations to craft a framework for either direct or, if necessary, indirect discussions. Just hours after the adoption of resolution 2797, the Polisario criticized certain aspects of the text, which was drafted by the United States, labeling them as «a dangerous and unprecedented deviation». The Front contends that these elements «violate the international status of Western Sahara as a decolonization issue, undermine the foundations of the UN-sponsored peace process, and hinder the efforts of the UN Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy», as stated in a communiqué.
