Summary:

On 16 January 2026, Algerian-backed Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (Polisario Front) submitted a bid to run for the North Africa seat on the African Union’s Peace and Security Council (PSC) for the 2026–2028 term, ahead of the AU Executive Council meeting in Addis Ababa and the PSC elections scheduled for 11–12 February 2026.

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The PSC elections involve competition among AU member states across the continent’s five regions, with the council serving as a key AU body responsible for peace and security matters.

The move has prompted debate regarding the eligibility of the Polisario Front to seek membership in the PSC, given ongoing disputes over its international status and the fact that the Western Sahara issue is addressed within the United Nations framework.

Moroccan political figures and civil society representatives cited in the report criticized the nomination, while framing it as part of broader regional rivalries within the African Union.

Outlook: 

This move by Polisario Front is viewed by many commentators as a strategic maneuver by Algeria aimed at counterbalancing recent United Nations developments that have reinforced Morocco’s autonomy proposal for Western Sahara.

Algeria continues to maintain a firm position in support of Western Sahara’s independence and the Polisario Front’s right to political activity on the international stage. However, current diplomatic dynamics suggest a different trajectory, with Morocco steadily consolidating international support for its position on Western Sahara.

Further diplomatic or institutional initiatives from Algeria may be expected as it seeks to preserve its regional influence. Nevertheless, such actions carry only limited practical effect and are unlikely to alter the existing balance, while Morocco is expected to maintain its current geopolitical strategy on the issue without significant disruption.

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