Morocco reaffirms commitment to Western Sahara ceasefire amid international scrutiny

Following a meeting chaired by King Mohammed VI, the Moroccan Royal Cabinet stated on November 4, 2026, that the Kingdom remains committed to the ceasefire in Western Sahara, labeling it a voluntary pledge that will endure beyond the mandate of the UN mission (MINURSO). The statement also accused the UN mission of failing to monitor ceasefire violations. Historically, the 1991 ceasefire was linked to an UN-OAU settlement plan calling for a self-determination referendum. However, critics point to Morocco's 2020 military intervention in Guerguerat as a violation of the buffer zone's military status. Rabat's recent messaging regarding the 'post-MINURSO' era is interpreted as an attempt to justify unilateral actions and preemptively attribute the blame for any potential conflict escalation to the Polisario Front, while disregarding the historical context and the ongoing occupation.