Diplomacy & Power Shifts: A new analysis argues Algeria hasn’t changed its goal on Western Sahara—it’s just redeploying its focus to the Sahel and West Africa, chasing control of key routes and energy/logistics corridors. Franco-Moroccan Deal: Morocco and France are finalising a long-term “Friendship Treaty,” framed as a modern, equal partnership—while also tying into broader support for Morocco’s Western Sahara posture. Human Rights on Screen: In Bern, two documentaries on Sahrawi activists—“Three Stolen Cameras” and “a Memory that Refuses to Surrender”—were screened at the Abolish Festival, spotlighting imprisonment, family suffering, and calls for international action. Torture Findings: The UN Committee Against Torture again says Morocco violates the rights of Sahrawi detainees linked to the 2010 Gdeim Izik protest, citing arbitrary arrests, solitary confinement, torture/ill-treatment, and coerced confessions. UN Support for Self-Determination: A Frente POLISARIO UN representative says the C-24 regional seminar in Managua drew strong backing from countries across continents for Sahrawi self-determination and an expedited referendum. Terror Designations Debate: US Senator Ted Cruz renewed calls to label Polisario a terrorist group, linking it to Iran and warning about threats to maritime security near Gibraltar. Industry Tied to Occupation: Heidelberg Materials says it supplied cement and concrete for major infrastructure in occupied El Aaiún and Dakhla, with production rising in 2025—raising fresh concerns about business support for occupation. Media Spotlight in Slovenia: Slovenian TV ran a special interview with ISACOM president Aminatou Haidar, focusing on rights abuses in occupied territories and in refugee camps, plus EU responsibility.