In Madrid, Western Sahara negotiations have highlighted the differences between the Polisario Front and the United States, with the latter rejecting the Sahrawi and Algerian proposals, particularly concerning the organization of a referendum and a trade agreement. Despite showing some openness to the idea of autonomy, the Polisario insists that any progress must be contingent upon international guarantees and a general amnesty. DR ‹ › Following the first round of negotiations on Western Sahara, held Sunday and Monday at the U.S. Embassy in Madrid, a source close to senior Polisario Front officials provided insight into the positions put forward by the Sahrawi delegation, led by Mohamed Yeslam Beissat. According to a document reviewed by Yabiladi, the movement headed by Brahim Ghali did not formally reject Morocco's autonomy proposal. However, it made any progress conditional on the organization of a referendum after a transitional period of autonomy. This demand was also backed by the Algerian delegation. Abba Bouzid, a former Polisario political detainee now living in France, said the two proposals were dismissed by the American representatives. The Polisario also called for a general amnesty for all Sahrawi detainees and requested «international guarantees» to ensure the implementation of a political settlement, noting that the specific terms would be defined at a later stage. The return of populations living in the Tindouf camps was also discussed. Talks reportedly focused on the technical aspects of repatriation, including housing, livelihoods, and integration mechanisms. Several Demands Rejected by Washington According to the same source, Polisario negotiators proposed a trade agreement to the Trump administration that they described as favorable to the United States, in exchange for greater latitude to «present and defend their position» without being required to endorse Morocco's autonomy initiative. The approach echoed that of Algeria. In March 2025, Algeria's ambassador to Washington, Sabri Boukadoum, had reportedly suggested a similar arrangement in return for a freeze on U.S. recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara. Both proposals were rejected by Washington. It is worth recalling that in 2002, Bachir Mustapha Sayed, then head of Polisario diplomacy, proposed that the United States recognize the «SADR» in exchange for the establishment of a U.S. military base in Western Sahara once the conflict was resolved. The initiative ultimately led to his marginalization within the movement. Finally, the Polisario delegation requested a ten-year ban on the participation in political life and elections of any individual «not originating from Western Sahara».
