US vows to continue working with parties, UN on Sahara file

The United States has reaffirmed its commitment to efforts to resolve the Sahara dispute, saying it will continue working with the parties and the United Nations to reach a lasting settlement, following the failure of a U.S.-drafted resolution to pass the UN Security Council after Russia exercised its veto on October 30.

Massad Boulos, senior adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump for Arab and African affairs, said the administration would maintain its engagement with the parties to the dispute and the United Nations in pursuit of a permanent resolution.

In a post on X, Boulos added that the door to peace remained open to all parties, as well as observers, broadening the range of actors he said could contribute to the political settlement process.

The statement follows Washington’s defense of its draft resolution during discussions at the UN General Assembly on Russia’s veto. The U.S. permanent representative to the United Nations defended the proposed text and criticized Moscow’s decision to block it.

During those discussions, the United States also argued that a referendum was no longer a viable option for resolving the dispute, citing the decades-long UN process and the positions taken by successive UN secretaries-general and personal envoys.

Boulos’ remarks signal that the failure of the U.S. draft to secure approval at the Security Council has not ended Washington’s diplomatic engagement. The administration says it intends to continue pursuing a settlement in coordination with the parties and the United Nations.