Morocco Welcomes UN Security Council Resolution on Western Sahara: Reaffirming Sovereignty and Looking Towards the Future
Morocco has warmly welcomed the UN Security Council’s adoption of Resolution 2756, extending the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) until October 31, 2025. This move, announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, underscores the growing international support for Morocco’s position on the Western Sahara and its proposed autonomy plan.
The resolution comes at a pivotal moment, solidifying the irreversible trajectory set by King Mohammed VI regarding the territorial integrity of Morocco. This trajectory is marked by increasing recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the Western Sahara by key global players, including permanent members of the Security Council. Simultaneously, we are witnessing a continued decline in recognition of the self-proclaimed “Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic” (SADR), further isolating the Polisario Front. Recent developments, such as [cite example of a country withdrawing recognition of SADR, with link if possible], highlight this trend.
Resolution 2756 not only preserves Morocco’s gains achieved in recent years but also introduces significant new elements that will shape the future trajectory of the issue within the UN. The resolution clearly defines the framework, stakeholders, and ultimate objective of the political process, reinforcing the roundtable discussion format involving Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania, and the Polisario Front. This format, established in 2018, recognizes the crucial role of all parties in finding a realistic, pragmatic, and durable political solution based on compromise.
The international community’s increasing support for Morocco’s Autonomy Plan is a testament to its viability as the most credible and realistic solution to the long-standing dispute. This plan, which proposes significant self-governance for the Sahara region within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty, has garnered considerable international backing as a pragmatic and mutually acceptable compromise. [Cite examples of countries supporting the Autonomy Plan, with links if possible]. This growing support contrasts sharply with the dwindling international recognition of the SADR, reflecting a shift in the global understanding of the conflict.
Furthermore, the resolution emphasizes the importance of a realistic and pragmatic approach to resolving the issue, moving away from outdated notions of a referendum which have proven unworkable. This shift aligns with the broader international consensus that a mutually acceptable political solution is the only viable path forward. The focus on a political solution, rather than a referendum, reflects the complexities of the situation on the ground and the need for a sustainable resolution that respects the will of the people living in the Sahara region.
Looking ahead, Morocco remains committed to working constructively within the UN framework to achieve a lasting and peaceful resolution to the Western Sahara issue. The adoption of Resolution 2756 provides a solid foundation for continued progress towards this goal, reaffirming Morocco’s sovereignty and paving the way for a future of stability and prosperity for the region. The resolution’s emphasis on realism and pragmatism offers a renewed opportunity for all parties to engage in good faith negotiations and find a mutually acceptable solution that benefits the entire region.
