Morocco Strategy & Western Sahara Dispute: A new policy paper says Rabat has shifted from pure historical and legal claims to a “statecraft” mix of diplomacy, economic development, governance, security cooperation and coalition-building—aiming to move the global debate from decolonisation to autonomy and pragmatic geopolitics. UN Mediation Watch: UN envoy Staffan de Mistura is set to visit the Tindouf camps to help restart negotiations, with diplomats citing a push to reduce risks to stability across the Sahel and Sahara. Defence Spending Pressure: SIPRI data shows Africa’s military burden rising fast: Algeria tops the “militarised economies” list at 8.8% of GDP, while Morocco also increased spending to about 3.5% of GDP—linked in part to the Western Sahara dispute. Trade Union Solidarity: UGTSARIO held a solidarity meeting at the ILO in Geneva, urging intensified efforts for Sahrawi self-determination and highlighting workers’ and human-rights concerns tied to natural resources. Corporate Exposure in Occupied Territory: Heidelberg Materials says it produced and supplied major construction materials in occupied Western Sahara, including cement output and concrete for port and infrastructure projects—drawing renewed scrutiny. EU Market Labeling Fight: Catalonia for the Freedom of the Sahrawi People Collective and partners launched a campaign targeting AZURA Group over how Dakhla is marketed and how origin labels are handled for exports. Political & Security Tensions: The Polisario Front mourns the death of Lehbib Mohamed Abdelaziz in combat, while US lawmakers again press for designating Polisario as a terrorist group, citing maritime-security concerns near Gibraltar.