Africa Monitoring Desk Islamabad
The Sahrawi Republic (SADR) officially submitted its bid for an African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council (PSC) seat (2026-2028), challenging Morocco and Libya for North Africa’s slot, highlighting its claim for independence and self-determination amidst ongoing AU dynamics and recent UN Security Council actions favoring Morocco’s autonomy plan, signaling a continued diplomatic struggle for recognition and influence.
The SADR, a founding AU member, put forward its candidacy for the PSC seat to contest Morocco and Libya for representation in the North African region for the 2026-2028 term.
This move underscores the persistent conflict over Western Sahara, with the Sahrawi people seeking independence through the SADR, while Morocco promotes its autonomy plan for the territory.
The AU’s Peace and Security Council elections occur within the broader UN framework, where recent resolutions (like UNSC 2797 in late 2025) have leaned towards Morocco’s autonomy proposal as a “most feasible outcome,” a stance the SADR and Algeria oppose.
Securing an AU PSC seat would give the SADR a powerful platform to advocate for its self-determination agenda, countering Morocco’s growing diplomatic influence within African and international bodies.
