This bill requires U.S. officials to study the Polisario Front and decide whether it meets criteria for terrorist designation and related sanctions. It lists findings about the group, including its origins, goals, and reported ties to Iran, Hezbollah, the IRGC, and the PKK. The Secretary of State must deliver a report within 180 days describing leadership, military operations, and foreign sponsorship. The Secretary of State must also, within 90 days, determine whether the Polisario Front meets the legal criteria for designation as a foreign terrorist organization and for Global Magnitsky sanctions. The Secretary of the Treasury must, within 90 days, determine whether the group meets criteria for sanctions under Executive Order 13224. These determinations must be submitted unclassified, though a classified annex is allowed. The President may waive designation or sanctions if the Polisario Front is engaged in good faith negotiations to implement Morocco's 2007 autonomy plan for Western Sahara.
The bill directs U.S. agencies to investigate and report on the Polisario Front. If agencies find the group meets legal criteria, that could lead to formal terrorist designation and financial or other sanctions under existing U.S. authorities. The bill does not itself impose sanctions; it requires decisions and reports that could lead to sanctions. The President can block those designations if the group is negotiating on the specified autonomy plan.
No publicly available information.
The bill's findings say the Polisario Front was founded in 1973 to seek independence for Western Sahara and that it has reported ties to Iran and groups such as Hezbollah, the IRGC, and the PKK. The findings cite reported training, weapons transfers, and use of drones. Supporters would point to these reported connections and capabilities as reasons to evaluate and possibly designate the group under U.S. terrorism and sanctions authorities.
No publicly available information.