UN Calls for Western Sahara Talks Based on Morocco’s Autonomy Plan | Security Council Vote

The United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution on Friday (October 31) stating that genuine autonomy for Western Sahara under Moroccan sovereignty could be the most feasible solution to Rabat's 50-year conflict with the Algeria-backed Polisario Front. Western Sahara, a tract of desert the size of Britain, has been the scene of Africa's longest-running territorial dispute since colonial power Spain left in 1975 and Morocco annexed the territory. The U.N. Security Council, in a U.S.-drafted text, called for the parties to engage in negotiations based on an autonomy plan first presented by Morocco to the United Nations in 2007. Morocco considers the territory its own while the Polisario Front seeks to establish an independent state called the Sahrawi Republic. "We urge all parties to use the coming weeks to come to the table and engage in serious discussions," U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Mike Waltz told the council after the vote. "We believe regional peace is possible this year, and we will make every effort to facilitate progress." Russia, China and Pakistan abstained, while Algeria did not vote. The remaining 11 council members voted in favor of the resolution, which also renewed for one year the mandate of the U.N. peacekeeping force in Western Sahara, known as MINURSO. "The final decision on the future cannot, must not, belong to anyone other than the people under colonial domination," Algeria's U.N. Ambassador Amar Bendjama told the council after the vote. "This text ignores the proposals of the Polisario Front ... The Polisario Front is a party to the conflict, and its opinion must be heard." Morocco's autonomy proposal would establish a local legislative, executive and judicial authority for Western Sahara elected by its residents, while Rabat would retain jurisdiction over defense, foreign affairs and religious matters. The Polisario instead wants to hold a referendum with independence as an option. The Security Council resolution also asked U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to provide within six months "a strategic review regarding MINURSO's future mandate, taking into account the outcome of the negotiations". U.S. President Donald Trump reaffirmed support for Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara in July, saying a Moroccan autonomy plan for the territory was the sole solution. Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff had said the U.S. is working on a peace deal between Algeria and Morocco. France made a similar move, recognizing Rabat's sovereignty over the territory and greenlighting investments there. In June, Britain became the third Security Council member to back autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty. Spain has also backed Rabat's position, along with an increasing number of European states, signaling a shift in EU member states' foreign policy on the issue. #UN #WesternSahara #Morocco #PolisarioFront #SecurityCouncil #Diplomacy #Africa #MINURSO #UnitedNations #Rabat #Algeria #MikeWaltz #GlobalNews --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dawn News English is your window into the latest news, insight, and features from South Asia and beyond. Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dawndotcom/ Official Twitter: https://twitter.com/dawn_com Website: www.dawn.com Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dawnnewsenglish #news #latestnews #dawnnewsenglish #dawnnews