U.S. Lawmakers Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Designate Polisario Front as Foreign Terrorist Organization

Washington, D.C. — June 27, 2025
A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers has introduced new legislation aimed at designating the Polisario Front, the armed separatist group operating in Western Sahara, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) under U.S. law. The bill, introduced in the House of Representatives, underscores growing concerns over the group’s alleged ties to Iran, Hezbollah, and other destabilizing actors in the Sahel and Maghreb regions.

The bill, officially titled the “Polisario Front Terrorist Designation Act” (H.R. 4119), was introduced on June 24, 2025, by Representative Joe Wilson (R-SC) and co-sponsored by Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA). If passed, the legislation would direct the U.S. Secretary of State to review and report on whether the Polisario Front meets the legal criteria for designation as a foreign terrorist organization.

“The Polisario is a Marxist militia backed by Iran, Hezbollah, and Russia, providing Iran a strategic outpost in Africa and destabilizing the Kingdom of Morocco—a U.S. ally for over two centuries,” said Rep. Wilson in a public statement.

Strategic and Regional Implications

The bill’s introduction comes amid renewed geopolitical tensions in North and West Africa, where the Polisario Front has waged a decades-long campaign for independence in Western Sahara—a region Morocco considers an integral part of its sovereign territory. The U.S. formally recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over the territory in 2020 as part of a broader diplomatic agreement.

According to U.S. lawmakers supporting the bill, the Polisario Front has received military training, funding, and drone technology from Iran and its proxies, raising alarms about the potential for increased terrorist activity and instability in the region. Intelligence assessments cited by congressional sources suggest the group may be aligning with transnational militant networks, threatening U.S. allies and economic interests in North Africa.

What the Bill Proposes

If enacted, the Polisario Front Terrorist Designation Act would:

• Mandate the U.S. State Department to investigate and formally evaluate the group’s activities under the FTO criteria.
• Authorize the imposition of financial sanctions, including asset freezes and restrictions on transactions involving U.S. entities.
• Bar entry into the United States for individuals affiliated with the Polisario Front.
• Criminalize material support to the group under U.S. anti-terrorism statutes.

Legal analysts note that such a designation would significantly limit the Polisario Front’s international financial activities and would deter third-party nations and organizations from providing support.

Regional Response and Diplomatic Context

The proposed legislation is expected to bolster U.S.–Morocco relations, as Rabat has long pressed for stronger Western action against the Polisario Front, which it views as an Iranian-backed separatist movement threatening national security. Morocco has also accused Algeria—a key backer of the Polisario—of facilitating arms transfers and safe haven operations.

In response to the bill’s introduction, Moroccan officials and international advocacy groups have welcomed the move, emphasizing the need to counter state-sponsored proxy conflicts in the region.

However, human rights organizations caution that any shift in U.S. policy should also consider the humanitarian situation of Sahrawi refugees in camps in Tindouf, Algeria, and ensure that diplomatic pathways toward peaceful conflict resolution remain viable.

Next Steps in Congress

As of this week, the bill has been referred to the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Judiciary Committee for further review. It must pass both chambers of Congress before being presented to the President for signature. Ultimately, any FTO designation requires final approval by the U.S. Secretary of State, in coordination with the Departments of Justice and Treasury.

If passed, this would mark the first time the United States formally designates the Polisario Front as a terrorist organization, a major shift in its long-standing approach to the Western Sahara dispute.

Contact:
For more information, please refer to the full bill on Congress.gov (H.R. 4119) or visit the official websites of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee.