🔗 Share this article

UN's top security body has approved a US-backed measure that favors Moroccan claim regarding the disputed Western Sahara, despite fierce resistance from Algeria.

Divided Decision Bolsters Morocco's Stance

While the recent vote was split, the resolution represents the most significant endorsement to date for Morocco's plan to retain sovereignty over the region, which additionally enjoys support from the majority of European Union countries and a growing number of African nation partners.

Measure Structure and Important Elements

The document describes Morocco's plan as a basis for negotiation. As with earlier resolutions, the document doesn't include a referendum on self-determination that includes independence as an choice, which constitutes the solution traditionally supported by the independence-seeking Polisario movement and its allies.

Genuine autonomy under Morocco's sovereignty could constitute a most feasible solution.

Background Context

Western Sahara is a mineral-rich area of coastline desert the area of a US state which was under Spanish rule until 1975. It is claimed by both Morocco and the Polisario Front, which functions from refugee camps in southwestern neighboring Algeria and claims to represent the Sahrawi people native to the contested region.

Voting Results and Global Reactions

The United States, which sponsored the resolution, led 11 nations in deciding in favor, while 3 countries – Russia, China and Pakistan – abstained. The neighboring country, Polisario's primary benefactor, did not vote.

Mike Waltz, the US ambassador to the United Nations, stated the vote had been "significant" and would "advance the momentum for a long, long overdue resolution in the region".

The Algerian ambassador, the Algerian representative to the United Nations, said that while the resolution was an improvement on previous iterations, it "still has a number of shortcomings".

Peacekeeping Mission and Future Assessment

The resolution also extends the UN security mission in Western Sahara for an additional twelve months, as has been done for more than thirty years. Prior extensions, though, have not included a reference to Moroccan and its allies' preferred resolution.

The UN resolution urges all sides involved to "take this unique opportunity for a enduring peace." Depending on progress, it requests the secretary general to review the operation's mandate within six months.

Area Impact and Current Situation

The change could unsettle a protracted situation that for decades has eluded resolution, notwithstanding a UN security mission that was intended to be temporary. Protests have followed in Sahrawi settlements in the neighboring country this week, where residents have vowed not to abandon their fight for self-determination.

Morocco controls nearly all of the territory, except for a thin strip called the "free zone" that lies to the east of a constructed by Morocco barrier.

Past Context and Recent Events

A 1991-era truce was meant to facilitate a vote on independence, but disagreements over voter eligibility blocked it from occurring.

Through time, the Moroccan government has developed the disputed region, building a deepwater port and a long road. State support keep basic commodity prices affordable, and the population has ballooned as Moroccans establish homes in urban areas such as major settlements.

The movement ended the truce in recent years after confrontations near a route Morocco was paving to Mauritania.

The movement has subsequently regularly reported security activity, while the government has mostly denied open conflict. The United Nations calls it "limited hostilities".

Global Diplomacy and Coming Possibilities

In response to the draft resolution, Polisario said that it would not participate in any process intending "to validate Moroccan unauthorized presence," adding peace "cannot happen by rewarding expansionism".

The situation represents the driving force in north African international relations. Morocco considers support for its autonomy plan as a standard for how it assesses its international partners.

Recently, the UN representative suggested partitioning Western Sahara, a suggestion neither side agreed to. He encouraged Morocco to clarify what autonomy would entail and warned that a absence of progress might raise questions about the UN's role and "if there remains opportunity and readiness for us to still be effective."

The push to reassess the UN operation comes as the US slashes financial support for UN programmes and agencies, covering peacekeeping.