Polisario Blocks UN MINURSO Convoy in Western Sahara, Escalating Tensions
On April 21, 2025, Polisario-affiliated elements blocked a UN MINURSO convoy in Western Sahara, raising regional stability concerns. This blockade, marked by threats and live fire against a UN patrol, has intensified calls to classify the Polisario as a terrorist organization amid ongoing diplomatic tensions and UN efforts for peace.
hassan benyoub 
Agounit, Western Sahara – In a significant escalation, Polisario-affiliated elements blocked a UN MINURSO logistical convoy east of the Moroccan defense wall on April 21, 2025, raising concerns over regional stability. The incident, described as a “dangerous development” by the Atlantic Observatory for Defense and Armament, occurred as the convoy was en route to the MINURSO base in Agounit via the Aousserd axis, near the Mauritanian-Moroccan border.
Details of the Blockade
The convoy, carrying logistical supplies for the UN base in Agounit, was abruptly halted by Polisario members, who provided no official explanation for their actions. According to the Atlantic Observatory, Polisario elements fired live rounds at a nearby UN patrol and issued explicit threats of liquidation, forcing the mission to turn back. This unprecedented act has heightened tensions in the region, particularly given the UN’s ongoing efforts to maintain the 1991 ceasefire and foster a political resolution based on Morocco’s autonomy initiative, as reported by Yabiladi.
Growing Calls for Terrorist Designation
The blockade coincides with increasing international pressure to classify the Polisario as a terrorist organization. U.S. Senator Joe Wilson recently advocated for this designation, a call echoed by French politician Pierre-Henri Dumont, former MP and deputy secretary-general of Les Républicains. On April 21, 2025, Dumont urged President Emmanuel Macron to take a firm stance, citing a Hudson Institute report linking the Polisario to Algeria, Iran, and Hezbollah. In a post on X, Dumont stated, “The Hudson Institute sheds new light on the Polisario. Used by Algeria and Iran, allied with Hezbollah, this movement threatens regional peace and security. France must call it what it is: a terrorist organization,” as noted in Security Council Report.
Polisario’s Obstruction of MINURSO Operations
The incident follows a recent UN Security Council briefing by Alexander Ivanko, the Special Representative for Western Sahara and head of MINURSO, on April 14, 2025. Ivanko highlighted the Polisario’s “persistent obstacles,” including blocking humanitarian and technical supplies and refusing to meet with mission officials. In contrast, he praised the “cooperation and facilities” provided by Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces, according to Yabiladi. The blockade underscores the Polisario’s growing hostility toward MINURSO, further complicating the UN’s mission in the region.
Regional and International Implications
This latest act of obstruction threatens to derail efforts to revive the political process in Western Sahara, where the UN and major powers have called for adherence to the 1991 ceasefire. The incident, occurring just 900 kilometers from the Tindouf camps, highlights the fragile security situation east of the defense wall, as detailed in Arab Center DC. On social media platforms like X, users expressed alarm over the escalation, with some questioning the Polisario’s motives and others calling for stronger international action against the group.
Looking Forward
The blockade of the MINURSO convoy signals a worrying trend of aggression by the Polisario, potentially intensifying tensions in Western Sahara at a time when diplomatic solutions are urgently needed. With growing calls to designate the Polisario as a terrorist organization, the international community faces mounting pressure to address the group’s actions and their broader implications for regional stability.
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