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The UN resolution said that genuine autonomy for Western Sahara under Morocco, might be the most feasible solution to the longstanding conflict. The Western Sahara has been the scene of Africa’s longest-running territorial dispute since the departure of colonial power Spain in 1975.
Moroccans have been celebrating support from the United Nations for the country’s claim to the disputed Western Sahara. Although Friday’s vote by the Security Council was divided, it was the strongest endorsement yet for Rabat’s plan to keep sovereignty over the territory.
The UN resolution said that genuine autonomy for Western Sahara under Morocco, might be the most feasible solution to the longstanding conflict. The Western Sahara has been the scene of Africa’s longest-running territorial dispute since the departure of colonial power Spain in 1975.
Morocco considers the territory its own while the Algeria-backed Polisario Front wants to establish an independent state called the Sahrawi Republic.
In a rare televised address, Morocco’s King Mohamed VI welcomed the Security Council’s support of its autonomy plan, first presented to the UN in 2007. He also called for dialogue with Algeria’s President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
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The United States, which sponsored the resolution, led 11 countries in voting in favour, while three countries — Russia, China, and Pakistan – abstained. Algeria, did not vote. The resolution called on all parties involved to “seize this unprecedented opportunity for a lasting peace”. It also renewed the UN peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara for another year, as has been done for more than three decades.
