🔗 Share this article

UN's top security body has passed a American-supported resolution that favors Moroccan position regarding the disputed territory, despite fierce resistance from Algeria.

Divided Vote Bolsters Moroccan Position

Although Friday's vote was divided, the resolution represents the most significant endorsement yet for Morocco's plan to maintain sovereignty over the region, which additionally enjoys support from most European Union members and a growing number of African partners.

Resolution Structure and Key Elements

The resolution refers to Morocco's plan as a basis for talks. Similar to previous measures, the document doesn't include a referendum on independence that includes sovereignty as an option, which represents the solution traditionally supported by the pro-independence Polisario Front and its allies.

Real self-rule under Morocco's authority could constitute a most feasible solution.

Historical Context

The territory is a phosphate-rich stretch of coastline arid land the size of a US state which was under Spanish control until the mid-1970s. It is asserted by both the Moroccan government and the Polisario movement, which functions from refugee camps in southwestern neighboring Algeria and asserts to represent the Sahrawi people indigenous to the disputed territory.

Voting Results and Global Responses

The United States, which proposed the measure, led 11 nations in deciding in favor, while 3 nations – multiple nations – declined to vote. The neighboring country, the movement's primary supporter, did not vote.

Mike Waltz, the US ambassador to the United Nations, said the vote had been "historic" and would "advance the momentum for a long, long overdue resolution in Western Sahara".

Amar Bendjama, the Algeria's representative to the United Nations, said that while the measure was an advancement on earlier versions, it "still has a number of deficiencies".

Security Operation and Future Assessment

The measure also extends the UN security mission in Western Sahara for another twelve months, as has been done for over three decades. Prior extensions, though, have not contained a mention to Morocco and its allies' preferred resolution.

The UN resolution calls on all sides involved to "take this unique chance for a lasting resolution." Based on progress, it asks the UN leader to review the peacekeeping mission's authority within half a year.

Regional Impact and Current Conditions

The shift could unsettle a protracted process that for many years has escaped settlement, desdespite a United Nations security mission that was intended to be temporary. Demonstrations have followed in indigenous refugee camps in Algeria this week, where residents have vowed not to give up their fight for self-determination.

The Moroccan government controls nearly all of the territory, except for a narrow strip called the "liberated area" that lies east of a Moroccan-built barrier.

Past Background and Current Developments

A 1991 ceasefire was meant to pave the way for a referendum on self-determination, but disagreements over participation criteria prevented it from taking place.

Through time, Morocco has transformed the contested region, building a maritime facility and a long highway. State subsidies keep basic commodity costs low, and the resident count has ballooned as Moroccans establish homes in cities such as major settlements.

Polisario ended the ceasefire in 2020 after confrontations near a road Morocco was constructing to Mauritania.

The movement has subsequently regularly reported military operations, while the government has primarily rejected claims of open conflict. The UN calls it "low-level tensions".

International Relations and Coming Possibilities

Reacting to the proposed measure, Polisario stated that it would not join any initiative aiming "to 'legitimise' Morocco's illegal military occupation," saying resolution "cannot happen by rewarding expansionism".

The situation constitutes the driving force in regional diplomacy. Morocco considers endorsement of its autonomy plan as a benchmark for how it assesses its allies.

Last October, the UN envoy suggested dividing Western Sahara, a proposal no party agreed to. He encouraged the government to clarify what self-rule would involve and warned that a lack of progress might question the United Nations' role and "whether there is space and willingness for us to remain effective."

The initiative to reassess the United Nations Mission comes as the United States reduces financial support for UN programmes and organizations, including peacekeeping.