Sahara: Beyond the historic victory at the UN

«We are living through a pivotal moment and a decisive turning point in the history of modern Morocco. From now on, there will be a before and an after October 31, 2025».

In His speech following the adoption by the UN Security Council of the new resolution on the Sahara, His Majesty the King emphasized that Morocco is now entering a new phase in resolving this artificial dispute .
This development is part of the royal approach to governing this issue. The Sovereign had already announced in a previous speech that, in this matter, «we have moved from a phase of mere management to one of a dynamic of change». During his appearance on the 2M television channel, Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, recalled that the adoption of Security Council Resolution 2797 is «the result of His Majesty the King’s sustained efforts over the past 26 years, as well as the Sovereign’s personal commitment to this issue»
Bourita emphasized the « approach «of His Majesty the King which made it possible to move this issue forward, moving away from a framework that was difficult to apply, thanks to the autonomy proposal put in place in 2007.
Today, following the adoption of the new Security Council resolution, the autonomy plan has become a solution and no longer just a proposal, the minister explained. The Sovereign clearly emphasized this in His latest speech: «We are entering the decisive phase of the UN process, now that the Security Council resolution defines the principles and foundations likely to lead to a definitive political settlement of this conflict, in strict respect for Morocco’s legitimate rights»
The Security Council resolution was adopted by 11 votes in favor, none against, with 3 abstentions. Despite some minor changes in form, the substance of the resolution, drafted by the United States ( pen-holder ), enshrined the autonomy proposal as the basis for resolving this dispute. His Majesty the King emphasized the role of President Donald Trump, «whose efforts paved the way for a final settlement of this conflict».
The new momentum surrounding the resolution of the artificial conflict over the Sahara is linked to a dual dimension: legal and political. Legally, within the framework of the UN process, Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara was raised for the first time in a Security Council resolution.
This text also emphasized the need for the involvement of all parties concerned, including Algeria, which continues to shirk its historical responsibility in this matter. This notably concerns a return to the negotiating table, without preconditions, with the possibility of proposing new ideas related to the autonomy proposal.
Like previous resolutions, this text also stresses the need for a census of the population in Tindouf. This is a recurring demand for years, the results of which will be decisive in the next phase. The aim will be to determine the exact number of people living in Tindouf and their true origins, as the demographic composition of the camps has changed over the decades with the arrival of foreign fighters, particularly from Sahel countries, but also from various regions of Algeria.
In any case, the Moroccan Sahrawis in the camps were directly addressed by His Majesty the King, who called on «our brothers in the Tindouf camps to seize this historic opportunity to reunite with their families and take advantage of the possibility offered by the autonomy initiative to contribute to the management of local affairs, the development of their homeland, and the building of their future within a united Morocco».
The royal address also conveyed a message of reassurance to these populations: «I solemnly affirm that all Moroccans are equal, and there is no difference between those who have returned from the Tindouf camps and their brothers residing in the rest of the national territory».

Updated proposal

Launched in 2007, the autonomy plan broke the vicious cycle that had prevented the resolution of this artificial conflict, which had gone on for far too long. The referendum option had been definitively ruled out for years due to its impracticality. Moroccan diplomacy’s efforts established this plan as a credible and realistic solution, in the face of the inaction of the other parties. Today, with the new Security Council resolution, this plan has become the sole basis for negotiations. The other parties are invited to contribute their ideas within the framework of this plan.
For its part, Morocco is once again demonstrating its good faith by « updating and refining the autonomy proposal for submission to the United Nations ,» as His Majesty the King emphasized in His latest speech.

Mohamed Ali MRABI