The UN Security Council recommended in a Friday resolution that Western Sahara become an autonomous region under Moroccan sovereignty to end a 50-year conflict. Eleven members voted in favor, while Algeria abstained from the vote. The decision has elicited mixed reactions.
Western Sahara was a Spanish colony until 1975. After Spain's withdrawal, Morocco annexed large parts of the resource-rich desert territory, which is larger than the UK and borders Morocco, Mauritania, and Algeria. Tens of thousands of Sahrawis fled to Algeria and organized in the Frente Polisario, which demands an independence referendum and is supported by Algiers.
In the resolution passed on Friday, driven by the US under President Donald Trump, the Security Council endorses Morocco's autonomy plan, first proposed by Rabat in 2007. It envisions a local legislative, executive, and judicial authority elected by inhabitants, while Morocco retains control over defense, foreign affairs, and religious matters. Eleven of 15 members voted yes; Russia, China, and Pakistan abstained; Algeria did not participate.
US Ambassador Mike Waltz stated: "We believe that regional peace is possible this year." Algeria's Ambassador Amar Bendjama criticized: "The final decision on the future can and must belong to no one other than the people under colonial rule." The resolution ignores Polisario proposals. A Polisario representative emphasized it does not recognize Moroccan sovereignty.
King Mohammed VI called it a "historical turning point" and a "Win-Win" solution, urging refugees in Algerian camps to support autonomy. Thousands celebrated in Moroccan cities. The resolution calls for negotiations with Morocco, Polisario, Algeria, and Mauritania; the UN mission MINURSO was extended by one year. International support is growing: Trump recognized Morocco's claim in 2020, followed by France, the UK, Spain, and Israel.