AGP Executive Report

Book & Archives: Hungary has published “Western Sahara and Hungary,” by János Besenyő, drawing on newly opened Eastern Bloc communist archives to trace the territory’s colonial history and decolonization efforts. Human Rights in Focus (Geneva): At the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Sahrawi researcher Hayat Said and NOVACT’s Mahfud Bechri said 2025 saw nearly 170 documented violations in occupied Western Sahara, alongside an “information blockade,” land confiscations for green energy, and drone strikes; they also warned the real toll is higher due to bans on independent monitoring. Civilian Protection & Security: African experts at a Geneva side event condemned attacks attributed to the Polisario Front on civilians in Smara and urged accountability under international humanitarian law, framing the incidents within a wider regional security crisis. Drugs & Maritime Link: Spain destroyed over 30 tonnes of cocaine seized in the Atlantic off the coast of Western Sahara, in what authorities call the country’s largest recorded seizure. Water as Strategy: A new analysis argues Maghreb states must treat water as a strategic sovereignty issue, not just a technical problem, as drought and desalination costs intensify. Defense Tech & Regional Power: Commentary highlights Morocco’s defense modernization with Israeli-linked drone production and contrasts it with Algeria’s record military spending, tying the arms race to shifting regional security dynamics. Local Food Tech: In Sahrawi refugee camps near Tindouf, a fish-farming project is supplying fresh tilapia to thousands, improving nutrition in a harsh desert setting.

Defense Tech & Regional Power: Spain’s parliament is weighing whether it could respond to Moroccan threats using Israeli-made SpyX suicide drones, as Morocco expands domestic defense production via joint ventures with BlueBird Aero Systems—while Algeria boosts military spending to a record $25B. Water Security: A new push argues Maghreb water must be treated as a strategic sovereignty issue, not just a technical one, as drought and desalination costs rise. US–Morocco Defense Roadmap: A US Senate NDAA provision orders a 10-year Pentagon roadmap to deepen defense cooperation with Morocco, turning normalization into binding policy. Human Rights in Western Sahara (UN Geneva): At the UN Human Rights Council, NOVACT and researcher Hayat Said say 2025 saw nearly 170 documented violations, alongside claims of information blockade, land grabs for “green energy,” and drone strikes on civilians. Local Tech for Survival: A fish-farming project in Sahrawi refugee camps is supplying fresh tilapia to thousands, improving nutrition in a harsh desert setting. Drugs & Maritime Security: Spain destroyed over 30 tonnes of cocaine seized off the coast of Western Sahara, after a major Atlantic interception and long disposal operation.

Defense Tech & Regional Power: A new U.S. Senate NDAA provision orders a 10-year roadmap to deepen Morocco’s defense cooperation, tying Israeli-made systems into a long-term American partnership. Security Escalation in the Sahara: Claims of Abraham Accords defense tech reaching the battlefield are linked to Israeli loitering munition use, underscoring how normalization is shifting from diplomacy to deterrence. Human Rights in Geneva: At the UN Human Rights Council, NOVACT and researchers say nearly 170 violations were documented in occupied Western Sahara in 2025, alongside an alleged information blockade and drone-strike targeting of civilians. Civilian Protection Debate: African experts in Geneva condemned attacks attributed to the Polisario Front on civilians in Smara and urged accountability under international humanitarian law, while endorsing Morocco’s autonomy proposal. Local Tech for Survival: A fish-farming project in Sahrawi refugee camps near Tindouf is boosting fresh seafood supply using tilapia ponds, supporting nutrition in a harsh desert setting. Health Science (Global, Not Sahara-Specific): A roundup on GLP-1 drugs weighs what science supports for cancer prevention and where benefits are still uncertain.

Western Sahara Debate & Culture: A Sahara-related book fair event on “heritage, identity, and paths to development” was reportedly canceled after critics accused organizers of “whitewashing” Morocco’s occupation—sparking a fight over whether pluralism is allowed only when one side gets to speak. Human Rights in Focus (UN Geneva): At the UN Human Rights Council, researcher Hayat Said said her team documented nearly 170 human rights violations in occupied Western Sahara in 2025, warning the real toll is higher due to bans on independent monitoring. Information Blockade & Drone Strikes: NOVACT’s Mahfud Bechri condemned Morocco’s “information blockade,” land grabs tied to green energy, and deadly drone strikes, saying international observers have been expelled for years. Civilians & Accountability: African experts in Geneva condemned attacks attributed to the Polisario Front against civilians in Smara and urged accountability under international humanitarian law. Food Tech for Displaced Communities: In Sahrawi camps near Tindouf, a fish farming project is supplying fresh tilapia to thousands, improving nutrition where seafood access is costly and limited. Drugs & Maritime Security: Spain destroyed over 30 tonnes of cocaine seized in the Atlantic off the coast of Western Sahara, after a major operation involving transport and industrial incineration. Health Science (GLP-1s): A science explainer weighs what GLP-1 obesity drugs can and can’t do yet, including cautious links to cancer prevention.

Health Science: A new analysis warns that GLP-1 obesity drugs may help with heart and liver health and could lower cancer risk, but researchers say it’s too early to treat them as a universal prevention “cure-all,” with benefits and limits still being mapped. Human Rights in Western Sahara: In Geneva, human rights researcher Hayat Said says her 2025 report documents nearly 170 violations in occupied Western Sahara, stressing the real toll is likely higher due to restricted access for independent monitoring. Rights Under Pressure: NOVACT’s Mahfud Bechri denounced Morocco’s “information blockade,” land grabs tied to green energy, and deadly drone strikes, also alleging a shrinking civic space after years of expelling international observers. UN Spotlight: A UN Human Rights Council side event in Geneva highlighted escalation of violations, confiscations, and information restrictions, with the report prepared by a working group supported by ACAPS and NOVACT. Regional Security & Civilian Protection: African experts condemned attacks attributed to the Polisario Front against civilians in Smara and backed Morocco’s autonomy proposal, framing the issue as part of a wider Sahel-Sahara security crisis. Food Tech for Displaced Communities: A fish farming project in Sahrawi refugee camps near Tindouf is boosting local seafood supply by raising tilapia in desert ponds, improving nutrition for thousands. Drug Enforcement: Spain destroyed over 30 tonnes of cocaine seized in the Atlantic off the coast of Western Sahara, marking the largest such seizure in the country’s history.

Health Policy & Research: A new analysis on GLP-1 obesity drugs warns against treating them as a cure-all, noting strong links to lower heart disease risk and improved liver health, while researchers say more work is needed to confirm where benefits extend to cancer prevention and other conditions. Human Rights in Western Sahara (UN Geneva): At the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, researcher Hayat Said said a 2025 report documents nearly 170 human rights violations in occupied Western Sahara, stressing the real toll is likely higher due to lack of independent monitoring and bans on access. Information Blockade & Drone Strikes: NOVACT’s Mahfud Bechri denounced Morocco’s “information blockade,” land grabs tied to “green energy,” and deadly drone strikes, also alleging long-term expulsion of international observers since 2014. Civilian Protection & Security: African experts at a Geneva side event condemned attacks attributed to the Polisario Front against civilians in Smara and backed Morocco’s autonomy proposal, framing the incidents within wider Sahel-Sahara security pressures. Drugs & Maritime Security: Spain destroyed over 30 tonnes of cocaine seized in the Atlantic off Western Sahara, describing it as the largest seizure in Spain’s history, with the shipment incinerated under heavy security. Community Tech for Food: A fish-farming project in Sahrawi refugee camps near Tindouf is boosting local seafood supply by raising tilapia in artificial ponds, helping nutrition for thousands despite harsh desert conditions.

Health Policy & Research: A new analysis on GLP-1 obesity drugs says the science is promising for heart and liver health and may reduce some cancer risks, but researchers warn against treating them as a universal “cure-all” yet. Human Rights in Western Sahara: At the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Sahrawi and international voices presented a 2025 annual report documenting nearly 170 violations in occupied Western Sahara, while NOVACT and working-group members also denounced an information blockade, land grabs tied to “green energy,” and deadly drone strikes. UN Diplomacy Spotlight: A high-level side event in Geneva highlighted escalation of rights abuses and structural media restrictions, with organizers calling for stronger international attention and access. Security & Regional Impact: African experts condemned attacks attributed to the Polisario Front in Smara and backed Morocco’s autonomy plan, framing the issue as part of a wider Sahel-Sahara security crisis. Drugs & Maritime Enforcement: Spain destroyed over 30 tonnes of cocaine seized in the Atlantic off Western Sahara, describing it as the country’s largest recorded haul. Food Tech for Refugee Camps: A fish farming project in Sahrawi camps near Tindouf is boosting local seafood supply by raising tilapia in desert conditions.

Human Rights in Geneva: Sahrawi rights researchers and civil society groups told the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva that nearly 170 violations were documented in occupied Western Sahara in 2025, warning the real toll is higher due to a lack of independent monitoring and a ban on international access. Information Blockade & Drone Strikes: NOVACT’s Mahfud Bechri also condemned Morocco’s “information blockade,” alleged land grabs tied to “green” projects, and deadly drone strikes, saying civic space is being squeezed through fear and intimidation. Civilian Protection & Regional Security: African experts at a parallel Geneva side event condemned attacks attributed to the Polisario Front in Smara, arguing they raise serious questions under international humanitarian law and fit patterns seen in terrorism-linked acts, while endorsing Morocco’s autonomy proposal. Sahara-linked Drug Trafficking: Spain destroyed over 30 tonnes of cocaine seized in the Atlantic off Western Sahara, with authorities valuing the haul at about €812 million and carrying out the incineration under heavy security. Food Tech in Exile: A fish-farming initiative in Sahrawi refugee camps near Tindouf is supplying fresh tilapia to thousands, using local ponds to improve nutrition in a harsh desert setting.

UN Human Rights Council in Geneva: Human rights researcher Hayat Said says the 2025 annual report on occupied Western Sahara documents nearly 170 violations, warning the real toll is higher because an independent international monitoring mechanism is missing and access for observers is blocked. Information blockade & drones: NOVACT’s Mahfud Bechri denounced Morocco’s media blockade, land grabs tied to “green energy,” and deadly drone strikes on Sahrawi civilians, adding that since 2014 at least 329 international observers have been expelled. UN side event logistics: A high-level Geneva side event (with South Africa and Namibia sponsoring) will spotlight escalating violations, confiscations, and the structural information blockade, with the session livestreamed for civil society. Conflict & normalization narrative: Commentary claims Abraham Accords normalization has reached the Western Sahara battlefield, citing a deadly loitering munition incident tied to an Israeli defense contractor. Food tech in camps: A fish farming project in Sahrawi refugee camps near Tindouf is supplying fresh tilapia to thousands, including healthcare facilities, showing practical local solutions in harsh desert conditions. Self-determination & international law: CEBRAPAZ argues colonial occupation and legal betrayal around Western Sahara threaten the world order, urging stronger international responsibility. Drone strike report: The Sahrawi Presidency says at least three Polisario Front members were killed in an attack near the separation wall, including Lehbib Mohamed Abdelaziz, with Morocco yet to comment.

UN Human Rights Council: A UN Human Rights Council side event in Geneva will present the “Western Sahara: A Year in Review, 2025 Annual Human Rights Report,” detailing alleged rights abuses, land confiscations, and an “information blockade,” with a live Zoom broadcast. SADR/Western Sahara Security: The Sahrawi Presidency says at least three Polisario Front members were killed in an attack near the separation wall, including Lahbib Mohamed Abdelaziz, while Morocco has not issued an official statement. Sahara Food Tech: A fish farming project in Sahrawi refugee camps near Tindouf is supplying fresh tilapia to thousands, cutting reliance on long-distance seafood trips. Water & Infrastructure: Morocco’s push for desalination continues as drought becomes “structural,” with major plants planned to boost drinking water and irrigation. AI in the Region: Google expands Chrome’s Ask Gemini feature to Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa, and lists Western Sahara among supported locales. Religion Policy Watch: A Pew-backed mapping finds many governments worldwide tightened restrictions on religion in 2023, with potential spillovers for travel and policy.

Defense & Diplomacy: A senior Polisario commander, Lahbib Mohamed Abdelaziz, was reported killed in the Western Sahara after a lethal loitering munition linked to an Israeli defense contractor was used, underscoring how normalization deals can spill into battlefield tactics. Human Rights & Self-Determination: At the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, CEBRAPAZ’s Dr. Moara Crivelente urged the international community to act on Western Sahara’s colonial legacy, warning that Morocco’s settler-colonization is enabled by major partners and EU trade ties. Food Tech in Displacement Settings: In Sahrawi camps near Tindouf, a fish farming project is supplying fresh tilapia to thousands, cutting reliance on long-distance seafood trips and improving nutrition for residents and patients. Water & Infrastructure: Morocco’s push for desalination is expanding as drought becomes structural, with plans for major Atlantic plants aimed at boosting drinking water and irrigation—though costs and fair access remain open questions. AI for Everyday Browsing: Google is rolling out Ask Gemini in Chrome to Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, with Western Sahara listed among supported locales, bringing more AI help to local users.

Western Sahara & Self-Determination: At the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Dr. Moara Crivelente (CEBRAPAZ) urged the international community to act, warning that Morocco’s settler-colonization and violations of international law—enabled by partners including Spain, France, the US and the EU—undermine the world order. SADR Conflict Update: The Sahrawi Presidency says at least three Polisario Front members were killed in a Moroccan operation near the separation wall, including Lehbib Mohamed Abdelaziz, son of former Polisario leader Mohamed Abdelaziz, with three days of mourning declared; Morocco has not yet commented. Drones & Frontline Shift: Analysts say Morocco’s growing drone use is changing the Polisario’s traditional hit-and-run approach, raising risks for fighters operating east of the berm. Desalination for Water Security: Morocco is pushing large-scale desalination—aiming for 60% of drinking water from the ocean by 2030—while drought relief doesn’t change the long-term climate adaptation plan. AI in the Browser: Google is expanding Ask Gemini in Chrome to Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, with Western Sahara listed among supported locales. Food Tech in Camps: A fish farming project in Sahrawi refugee camps near Tindouf is supplying fresh tilapia to thousands, cutting reliance on long-distance seafood trips.

Western Sahara & UN Rights: At the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, CEBRAPAZ’s Dr. Moara Crivelente warned that Morocco’s settler-colonization and violations of international law—enabled by partners including Spain, France, the US and the EU—are destabilizing the world order, as the UN nears the end of the colonialism decade. SADR Conflict Update: The Sahrawi Presidency says at least three Polisario Front members were killed in an attack near the separation wall, including Lehbib Mohamed Abdelaziz, son of former president Mohamed Abdelaziz, with Morocco yet to comment. Drone Warfare: A separate report says fighting east of the berm is increasingly shaped by Moroccan drones, squeezing Polisario’s older hit-and-run approach. Food Tech in Camps: A fish farming project in Sahrawi refugee camps near Tindouf is boosting local seafood supply using tilapia ponds. Water Tech in Morocco: Morocco is pushing large-scale desalination to secure drinking water and irrigation as drought becomes more structural. AI in the Region: Google expands Ask Gemini in Chrome to Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, bringing built-in AI search help to more users, including Western Sahara in the supported locales.

SADR/Western Sahara Conflict: Morocco carried out an attack near the separation wall that killed at least three Polisario Front members, including Lehbib Mohamed Abdelaziz, son of former Polisario president Mohamed Abdelaziz; the SADR declared three days of mourning, while Moroccan authorities have not yet commented. Drone Warfare: The same front line is increasingly shaped by Moroccan drones east of the berm, analysts say, weakening Polisario’s older hit-and-run tactics and raising risks for fighters sent into exposed zones. Water & Tech: Morocco is pushing desalination as drought becomes structural, aiming for 60% of drinking water from the ocean by 2030; a major plant near Casablanca is under construction, but costs and brine disposal remain open questions. Food Innovation in Camps: A fish farming project in Sahrawi refugee camps near Tindouf is supplying fresh tilapia to thousands, helping cut reliance on long-distance seafood trips. AI in the Region: Google is expanding “Ask Gemini in Chrome” to Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa—and also lists Western Sahara among supported locales—bringing built-in AI search help to more users. Diplomacy & Development: Tanzania’s new ambassador to Algeria, Mobhare Matinyi, signals a push toward trade, investment, innovation, and people-centered development.

Sahara Food Security: A fish-farming initiative in the Sahrawi refugee camps near Tindouf is raising red and black tilapia in artificial ponds, supplying fresh seafood to thousands and cutting the need for long, costly trips to buy fish. Morocco–Polisario Conflict: The Sahrawi Presidency says at least three Polisario Front members were killed in an attack near the separation wall, including Lehbib Mohamed Abdelaziz, son of former Polisario leader Mohamed Abdelaziz; Morocco has not issued an official statement. Water Tech for the Region: Morocco is pushing large-scale desalination as drought becomes structural, aiming to draw much of its drinking water from the Atlantic while tackling the hard parts—costs and brine disposal. AI in Africa (Including Western Sahara): Google is expanding “Ask Gemini in Chrome” to Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, with support for dozens of African locales including Western Sahara. Drones Shift the Battlefield: Reporting says drone warfare is increasingly shaping fighting east of the berm, reducing the effectiveness of Polisario’s older hit-and-run tactics.

AI in Browsers: Google is rolling out Ask Gemini in Chrome to Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, expanding built-in help for searching and understanding information across dozens of African locales, including Western Sahara. Desalination for Water Security: Morocco is pushing ocean-based desalination as drought becomes structural, aiming for 60% of drinking water from seawater by 2030, with major projects near Casablanca but ongoing questions around cost, brine disposal and fair access for farms and cities. SADR/Western Sahara Frontline: Morocco says it carried out an operation near the separation wall that killed at least three Polisario Front members, including Lehbib Mohamed Abdelaziz, son of former Polisario leader Mohamed Abdelaziz; Polisario frames the shift as drone-driven battlefield pressure. Energy & Water Tech Context: A related report highlights how desalination is spreading across water-stressed regions, with Africa increasingly betting on the technology as rainfall and dams fall short. Regional Politics Lens: Commentary on Spain’s foreign-policy posture and on the Abraham Accords’ mounting challenges keeps the wider geopolitical backdrop in view.