Sahara: Polisario says it’s ready to “discuss” autonomy, genuine openness or tactical move?

Unusual words, spoken in a symbolic place before a carefully selected audience. The Polisario representative, Mohamed Yeslem Beisat, told a delegation of activists and Spanish politicians gathered in Tindouf that his movement was ready to "discuss any proposal, any option, any scenario," explicitly including the Moroccan autonomy plan. In other words, independence is no longer the sole option.

It was with these words, echoed by the Spanish press, that the Polisario representative, Mohamed Yeslem Beisat, presented his position to a delegation of Spanish politicians and activists gathered in the Tindouf camps — a first in the separatist movement’s discourse.

Among these options is explicitly the Moroccan autonomy proposal. "Autonomy as an option submitted to the Sahrawi people can be discussed and accepted, but we will never accept that it is the only imposed solution," he specified.

Beisat also acknowledges that his people cannot "make independence the only option, nor can the Moroccan autonomy plan be." He further recognizes the role of the United States as a mediator in the process, despite Washington's historical alignment with Rabat. "The fact that the United States is mediating gives this issue greater importance, more visibility, and above all rekindles hope," adds Sayed, convinced that the deadlock of 2021 has now been overcome.

These statements come as negotiations under United Nations auspices, with U.S. support, enter a new phase after three rounds of discussions — two held  in Washington and one in Madrid.

According to Beisat, the process has now entered a "period of bilateral contacts, exchange of documents, and field visits," in view of a possible fourth round. "The Americans insist that in May or April we move to a different speed in the search for an agreement," he continued.

Maneuver, communication strategy, or genuine shift? Let’s remain cautious, time will tell.