The Trump administration is pushing to resolve the Western Sahara conflict through Morocco’s autonomy plan, amid tentative Algerian engagement and Polisario insistence on a referendum.

In a surprising move that sparked widespread debate in Morocco, Aziz Akhannouch, head of the RNI and prime minister, announced he would step down from leading the party ahead of the 2026 elections.

Amid mounting anger from labor unions and growing opposition from academics and political actors in Morocco, the government of Aziz Akhannouch pushed through a law reshaping higher education and scientific research.

The Algerian parliament has unanimously passed a law criminalizing French colonialism, labeling it a state crime and demanding an official apology from Paris.

Algeria’s mediation offer between Morocco and the Polisario is viewed skeptically, seen by some as dialogue, but may serve Algeria’s own interests.