The United Nations has released the Arabic version of Resolution 2797, adopted on Oct. 31 by the Security Council regarding Western Sahara. This document clearly refutes the interpretations put forward by Algeria and the Polisario. Unlike Latin and Anglo-Saxon languages, the plural in Arabic is formed starting from the number 3. Notably, the text mentions the "parties" twelve times and explicitly names them right from the preamble: "Morocco, the Polisario Front, Algeria, and Mauritania." On Nov. 2, Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf stated in an interview with an official media outlet that Resolution 2797 encourages "the two parties, Morocco and the Polisario Front," to begin direct negotiations. He reiterated this stance last week by proposing a "mediation" between "the Kingdom of Morocco and the Polisario Front," asserting that a solution to the conflict can only emerge from dialogue between "the two parties." The Polisario has adopted the same logic. "Resolution 2797 calls on the two parties to engage in discussions without preconditions and leaves the door open to all proposals that could support a mutually acceptable final solution," emphasized the Polisario leadership in its statement on Oct. 31. This communication line has been followed by all Front spokespersons, both in their media declarations and during political meetings. However, on Nov. 5, Staffan de Mistura clarified during a press briefing that Resolution 2797 "clearly identifies the stakeholders: Morocco, the Polisario Front, Algeria, and Mauritania." Moreover, the kingdom has always insisted on Algeria's presence to participate in new talks. The document published by the UN also highlights, in its preamble, that "genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty could be one of the most feasible solutions," while praising "the commitment of Council members to foster progress."
