Morocco's Aspirations for Western Sahara Amidst UN Guidelines
As the United Nations Security Council prepares to deliberate on the future of its mission in Western Sahara (MINURSO) on October 31, Morocco is vigorously pursuing the validation of its autonomy plan for the contested region. This comes in light of a leaked report from UN Secretary-General António Guterres, which emphasizes the necessity of consulting the Sahrawi people regarding their future and suggests the inclusion of Algeria in the negotiation process. Morocco has long maintained that its autonomy plan is the most viable solution to the longstanding conflict over Western Sahara, a territory that it controls 80% of, despite ongoing resistance from the Sahrawi independence movement, the Polisario Front, which is backed by Algeria.
On October 31, 2025, Morocco celebrated a significant diplomatic achievement when the UN Security Council passed Resolution 2797, designating its autonomy plan as the "most feasible" solution to a conflict that has persisted for over fifty years. However, the forthcoming discussions are poised to be distinct from previous ones, as Guterres' recent report underscores the critical need for a "consultation of the populations" and categorically positions Algeria as a key participant in the negotiations. This shift could potentially overshadow Morocco's aspirations in Western Sahara, as the discussions aim to dissect the future status of the territory through a meaningful dialogue involving all stakeholders.
The Right to Self-Determination
The report also suggests that any future status of autonomy should be subjected to a genuine consultation process with the Sahrawi people, allowing them the right to accept or reject the proposed arrangements. Staffan de Mistura, the UN special envoy tasked with mediating the conflict, has commented that while Resolution 2797 provides a negotiation framework, it does not prescribe a definitive outcome. He cautioned that any autonomy initiative must not be imposed without comprehensive consideration, reiterating that the future of Western Sahara hinges on a solution that enables the Sahrawi people to freely exercise their right to self-determination, devoid of any preordained resolutions.
Despite the emphasis on consultation, the terminology used in Guterres’ report has drawn scrutiny, particularly regarding the absence of the term "referendum" and the implications surrounding the concept of independence. The discussions appear to be anchored in Morocco's autonomy proposal, as emphasized by the latest developments. The United States and the UN have notably heightened Algeria's role in the diplomatic process in recent months, with three direct negotiation cycles involving the Polisario Front, Morocco, Algeria, and Mauritania occurring earlier this year. This marks the first direct negotiations involving Algeria in seven years, which has significantly altered the dynamics at play.
While Morocco continues to assert that its autonomy plan forms the foundation of negotiations, it remains to be seen how the evolving diplomatic landscape, particularly the US's engagement with Algeria, will influence the outcome. The US has been a staunch supporter of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara since recognizing it in 2020, and they are expected to draft the resolution that will be put to vote in the Security Council later this month. Morocco's confidence in its position persists, but the increasing emphasis on a consultative process involving the Sahrawi people and Algeria could pose substantial challenges to its diplomatic strategy moving forward.
As reported by courrierinternational.com.
