Former U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton has called for a self-determination referendum in Western Sahara to ensure the region's security. He warned that failure to resolve the conflict could destabilize Africa and, by extension, Europe.
In a recent interview, Bolton emphasized that the 1991 agreement clearly aimed to grant the Sahrawi people the right to determine their own future. He stated that denying this referendum is "a blatant injustice" and stressed the need for a "just and sustainable solution" to end the suffering of refugees.
Bolton criticized Morocco for refusing to hold the referendum, despite agreeing to it in 1991, and pointed out that UN resolutions have repeatedly called for it. He also highlighted the link between the Western Sahara conflict and regional instability, particularly in the Sahel, warning of the potential spillover into Europe.
Addressing France’s support for Morocco’s stance, Bolton remarked that a democracy should not oppose the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination. He also criticized Morocco’s attempts to discredit the Polisario Front, noting that international scrutiny had proven the accusations baseless.
Bolton praised the Polisario Front for maintaining unity and keeping both Western governments and the African Union informed, asserting that a referendum remains the only viable solution to the conflict.