United Nations Endorses Resolution Favoring Morocco's Position on Disputed Territory

UN's top security body has approved a US-backed measure that favors Morocco's position regarding the disputed territory, notwithstanding significant opposition from Algeria.

Split Vote Bolsters Moroccan Position

While Friday's vote was split, the resolution represents the most significant endorsement yet for Morocco's proposal to maintain sovereignty over the region, which also has backing from most EU members and a growing number of African nation partners.

Resolution Framework and Important Components

The resolution refers to Morocco's proposal as a basis for negotiation. As with earlier resolutions, the document makes no mention of a vote on independence that contains sovereignty as an option, which constitutes the solution long favored by the independence-seeking Polisario Front and its allies.

Real self-rule under Moroccan sovereignty could constitute a most practical resolution.

Historical Information

The territory is a phosphate-rich area of coastline arid land the size of Colorado which was under Spanish rule until the mid-1970s. It is asserted by both Morocco and the Polisario movement, which operates from refugee camps in southwestern neighboring Algeria and asserts to speak for the Sahrawi people native to the contested territory.

Decision Results and International Reactions

The United States, which proposed the resolution, led eleven countries in deciding in favor, while 3 nations – Russia, China and Pakistan – abstained. Algeria, the movement's main supporter, did not participate.

Mike Waltz, the US representative to the UN, said the vote had been "significant" and would "advance the momentum for a much-delayed resolution in the region".

Amar Bendjama, the Algerian representative to the UN, said that while the measure was an advancement on previous iterations, it "contains a number of shortcomings".

Security Mission and Future Review

The measure also extends the UN security operation in Western Sahara for another year, as has been implemented for over thirty years. Prior extensions, however, have not contained a reference to Morocco and its allies' favored resolution.

The UN resolution calls on all parties participating to "seize this unique opportunity for a lasting peace." Based on progress, it requests the secretary general to review the peacekeeping mission's mandate within six months.

Area Impact and Present Situation

The change could unsettle a long-stalled situation that for decades has eluded resolution, notwithstanding a UN peacekeeping operation that was designed to be temporary. Demonstrations have followed in indigenous settlements in Algeria this recent period, where residents have vowed not to give up their fight for self-determination.

The Moroccan government administers almost all of the territory, excluding a thin strip known as the "free zone" that lies to the east of a Moroccan-built sand wall.

Historical Background and Recent Events

A 1991 ceasefire was intended to facilitate a vote on independence, but disagreements over participation criteria blocked it from taking place.

Through time, Morocco has developed the disputed territory, constructing a maritime facility and a 656-mile road. State support keep basic commodity prices affordable, and the resident count has ballooned as Moroccan citizens settle in cities such as major settlements.

Polisario ended the truce in 2020 after confrontations near a route Morocco was paving to neighboring Mauritania.

The group has since frequently reported military activity, while the government has mostly rejected claims of open conflict. The UN calls it "limited tensions".

Global Diplomacy and Coming Possibilities

Reacting to the proposed measure, Polisario said that it would not join any process intending "to validate Moroccan unauthorized military occupation," saying peace "can never be achieved by rewarding territorial claims".

The conflict represents the central issue in regional international relations. The Moroccan government considers support for its proposal as a benchmark for how it assesses its international partners.

Recently, the UN representative suggested partitioning Western Sahara, a suggestion no party accepted. He encouraged the government to specify what autonomy would entail and cautioned that a lack of development might raise questions about the United Nations' role and "if there remains opportunity and willingness for us to remain effective."

The push to review the UN operation comes as the US slashes funding for United Nations initiatives and organizations, covering security operations.