Will Washington succeed in mending the Western Sahara rift?

US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff aims to resolve the Western Sahara dispute between Morocco and Algeria within 60 days. The conflict began in 1975 when Spain withdrew from Western Sahara, leading Morocco to claim it as sovereign land and Algeria to support the Polisario Front's push for independence. Diplomatic tensions escalated with recent backing by France and Spain of Moroccan claims. The UN considers Western Sahara a disputed territory requiring a referendum. Key obstacles include Algeria’s insistence on an independence vote and Morocco’s rejection of this, opting instead for autonomy under its sovereignty. The stalemate has affected regional integration efforts in the Maghreb Union.