Western Sahara diplomacy & travel context: Cabo Verde reaffirmed support for Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara and backed Rabat’s Autonomy Plan, pointing to UN Security Council Resolution 2797 that extends MINURSO until 31 October 2026 and calls for talks on the Autonomy Plan. Local politics with regional ripple effects: Morocco’s Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) won the parliamentary vote with 97 of 395 seats, while the Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD) surged back to lead the opposition under Abdelilah Benkirane; turnout fell to 38%, and coalition talks begin as the king selects the prime minister from PAM. Western Sahara dispute management: Morocco’s prison authority (DGAPR) rejected claims linking the Gdeim Izik hunger strikes to detention conditions, saying the action is tied to a broader political context and was initiated at the direction of the Polisario Front and aligned groups. Travel risk watch (UK): The UK Foreign Office updated its “do not travel” list, warning Brits against all travel to 11 countries—useful for travelers planning routes that may connect through North Africa and Europe. Broader regional backdrop: Algeria severed diplomatic ties with the UAE, citing years of geopolitical conflict, including the Palestinian issue and tensions involving Morocco and Israel.