The United Nations Security Council will hold a vote on Friday regarding a draft resolution that declares that “real autonomy” for Western Sahara under Moroccan sovereignty “could constitute the most feasible solution” to a dispute that has lasted for 50 years.
According to Reuters, this vote reflects a growing international shift towards supporting the Moroccan proposal, amidst strong opposition from the Polisario Front, backed by Algeria.
### Details of the U.S. Proposal and Voting Prospects
The draft, authored by the United States and revealed to Reuters, explicitly supports the Moroccan autonomy plan as the basis for negotiations between the parties. However, it is still unclear whether it has the backing of the two permanent members, Russia and China. To be adopted, the resolution requires at least nine votes in favor from the 15-member council, without any of the five permanent members (the U.S., Russia, China, the U.K., France) exercising their veto.
The supportive language of the Moroccan plan has sparked debate within the council, with Algeria—holding a temporary seat for two years—calling to have it removed, according to diplomats who spoke to Reuters.
The Polisario has rejected participation in any negotiations based on a resolution supporting autonomy, while Algeria has stated it will not vote for it if it retains support for this plan.
Additionally, the draft calls for the renewal of the UN peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara, known as MINURSO (United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara), for a full year. A previous draft was limited to six months. The draft also requests Secretary-General António Guterres to provide a “strategic review” of the mission’s mandate within six months, taking into account the outcomes of the negotiations.
The current mandate for the mission expires on Friday.
### Growing International Support for the Moroccan Position
This vote occurs in the context of accelerating international support for Morocco’s position. In July, U.S. President Donald Trump reaffirmed support for Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara, stating that the autonomy plan is “the only solution.” His envoy, Steve Witkoff, noted that Washington is working on a peace deal between Algeria and Morocco.
France followed the U.S. in July, acknowledging Rabat’s sovereignty over the region and opening the door for investments there. In June, the U.K. became the third country in the Security Council to support autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty. Spain, the former colonial power in Western Sahara, has also backed Rabat’s stance, along with a growing number of other European nations, indicating a shift in the European Union’s policy on the issue.
This increasing support is a critical step towards a timely resolution of the long-standing conflict, which has seen sporadic military tensions and humanitarian crises, but raises concerns about deepening regional divisions in North Africa. The vote on Friday will determine whether the UN will move towards promoting negotiations or if gaps between the parties will persist.
Source
