El Houssaini sees Morocco strengthened in Western Sahara dispute

The international relations professor argues that diplomacy has shifted the balance, while presenting military action as a matter of self-defense.

Channel: Sky News Arabia Arabic channel ·

Arab worldStory of November 13, 2026Trari Newsroom

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Morocco's diplomatic gains, rather than an announced military operation, underpin Tajeddine El Houssaini's assessment of the Western Sahara dispute in a rapid-fire television interview.

Speaking to Nancy Tabet on the United Arab Emirates-based Sky News Arabia, the international relations professor argues that UN Security Council decisions have settled the issue in Morocco's favor. He cites declining recognition of the Sahrawi Republic and says more than 120 countries support Morocco's autonomy proposal, describing the changes as both a diplomatic victory and a historic shift.

That is his assessment of a contested territory. Western Sahara, in northwestern Africa, is designated by the UN as a non-self-governing territory. Morocco claims sovereignty over it, while the Polisario Front seeks independence. Morocco's proposal would grant autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty.

Asked whether Morocco could act militarily against threats, El Houssaini says the kingdom has a right to defend itself against external attack, while arguing that it is working to prevent escalation. His answer presents a justification for responding to an attack, not an announcement of an operation.

He also argues that Polisario could not continue without foreign support. Turning to MINURSO, the UN mission established in connection with the 1991 ceasefire and a planned referendum, he calls it a failure, citing Morocco's move into Guerguerat and what he describes as Polisario's ceasefire violations.

The interview ends with his vision of the territory as an economic link between Africa, northern Morocco and Europe. Asked to identify Morocco's strongest asset, he chooses national unity and cohesion at home.