The UN Security Council has approved a US-backed resolution that supports Morocco's claim regarding the disputed Western Sahara, notwithstanding significant opposition from neighboring Algeria.
Split Vote Bolsters Moroccan Position
While Friday's decision was divided, the resolution represents the most significant endorsement yet for Morocco's plan to retain control over the region, which also has backing from most European Union countries and a growing number of African nation partners.
Resolution Framework and Important Components
The resolution describes Moroccan proposal as a foundation for talks. As with previous measures, the text doesn't include a vote on independence that contains independence as an choice, which represents the solution traditionally favored by the pro-independence Polisario movement and its supporters.
Real autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty could represent a very feasible solution.
Historical Information
The territory is a mineral-rich area of coastal arid land the size of Colorado which was under Spain's control until the mid-1970s. It is claimed by both the Moroccan government and the Polisario movement, which functions from temporary settlements in south-western neighboring Algeria and claims to speak for the Sahrawi people native to the disputed region.
Voting Patterns and Global Reactions
The United States, which sponsored the resolution, led 11 nations in voting in support, while 3 countries – Russia, China and Pakistan – abstained. Algeria, Polisario's primary benefactor, did not participate.
Mike Waltz, the US representative to the United Nations, stated the decision had been "historic" and would "build on the progress for a much-delayed peace in the region".
Amar Bendjama, the Algeria's ambassador to the United Nations, said that while the measure was an advancement on earlier iterations, it "contains a series of deficiencies".
Peacekeeping Operation and Future Assessment
The measure also extends the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the territory for an additional year, as has been done for over thirty years. Prior renewals, however, have not contained a reference to Moroccan and its supporters' favored outcome.
The measure urges all sides participating to "take this unique chance for a enduring resolution." Depending on progress, it requests the UN leader to assess the peacekeeping mission's authority within half a year.
Regional Consequences and Current Situation
The change could disrupt a long-stalled situation that for many years has escaped settlement, notwithstanding a United Nations security operation that was intended to be temporary. Demonstrations have ensued in Sahrawi refugee camps in the neighboring country this week, where residents have pledged not to give up their fight for self-determination.
The Moroccan government administers nearly all of the territory, except for a thin area called the "free zone" that lies to the east of a constructed by Morocco barrier.
Past Context and Current Events
A 1991 truce was meant to pave the way for a vote on independence, but fighting over voter eligibility prevented it from occurring.
Over the years, the Moroccan government has transformed the disputed region, constructing a maritime facility and a long highway. Government support keep food and energy costs low, and the resident count has grown significantly as Moroccan citizens settle in urban areas such as major settlements.
The movement ended the ceasefire in recent years after confrontations near a road the government was paving to neighboring Mauritania.
The group has since regularly documented military activity, while the government has mostly rejected claims of open conflict. The UN describes it "low-level hostilities".
International Relations and Future Possibilities
In response to the draft resolution, Polisario said that it would not join any process aiming "to 'legitimise' Morocco's unauthorized military occupation," saying peace "cannot happen by rewarding territorial claims".
The situation represents the driving force in north African diplomacy. Morocco views endorsement of its autonomy plan as a benchmark for how it assesses its international partners.
Recently, the UN representative proposed dividing Western Sahara, a suggestion no party agreed to. He encouraged Morocco to clarify what self-rule would entail and warned that a absence of development might raise questions about the United Nations' role and "if there remains opportunity and readiness for us to still be useful."
The initiative to reassess the United Nations Mission comes as the US reduces financial support for UN programmes and organizations, including security operations.
