Diplomatic & Investment Signals: France’s newly appointed ambassador to Morocco, Philippe Lalliot, made his first official visit to Laayoune, pledging continued support for development projects and investment in Morocco’s southern provinces, and citing renewed momentum after Macron’s letter reaffirmed backing for Morocco’s autonomy plan as the “serious, credible and realistic” basis to resolve the Sahara dispute. Trade & Security Corridor: The U.S. Mission to Morocco sent a delegation to El Guerguerat for the first time, discussing border security, counter-narcotics and human trafficking, with the crossing highlighted as a key overland trade route linking Morocco to Mauritania and West Africa. Regional Backing for Autonomy: Guinea-Bissau reiterated support for Morocco’s territorial integrity and sovereignty over the Sahara, lauding the autonomy plan and pointing to its consulate opening in Dakhla as proof of deepening ties. Human Rights & Tech Risks: Sahrawi human rights defender Aminatou Haidar warned at the UN Human Rights Council that AI and digital tools could intensify surveillance and discrimination against Sahrawi women defenders under occupation. Political Outreach in Africa: Sahrawi foreign affairs chief Mohamed Yeslem Beissat met Namibia’s trade minister and Angola’s foreign affairs leadership, reinforcing solidarity messages and backing for an FAO leadership candidacy.