The UN Security Council has approved a resolution supporting Morocco's claim to Western Sahara, despite fierce opposition from Algeria. The vote, which was largely backed by the US, marks a significant shift in support for Morocco's plan to maintain sovereignty over the disputed territory.
The resolution, sponsored by the US, refers to Morocco's plan as a basis for negotiation and offers the strongest endorsement yet for the Moroccan government's stance on Western Sahara. However, it makes no mention of a referendum on self-determination, which is the long-standing solution favored by the Polisario Front and its allies.
The resolution was passed with 11 countries voting in favor, while three countries - Russia, China, and Pakistan - abstained. Algeria, the primary supporter of the Polisario Front, opposed the measure. The US ambassador to the UN described the vote as "historic" and said it would help build momentum for a long-overdue peace in Western Sahara.
However, the Algerian ambassador to the UN expressed concerns that the resolution has several shortcomings, particularly with regards to the representation of the Sahrawi people. He argued that the resolution's emphasis on genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty fails to meet the legitimate aspirations of the Western Sahara population.
The UN Security Council also renewed the UN peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara for another year, a move that has sparked demonstrations in Sahrawi refugee camps in Algeria. The protesters vowed not to give up their fight for self-determination, highlighting the long-stalled process and the ongoing tensions between Morocco and the Polisario Front.
The resolution's passage marks a significant development in the decades-long conflict over Western Sahara, with Morocco seeking to solidify its claim to the territory. The US support has been seen as a major boost to Morocco's position, but the lack of a clear path forward for self-determination remains a contentious issue.
The resolution, sponsored by the US, refers to Morocco's plan as a basis for negotiation and offers the strongest endorsement yet for the Moroccan government's stance on Western Sahara. However, it makes no mention of a referendum on self-determination, which is the long-standing solution favored by the Polisario Front and its allies.
The resolution was passed with 11 countries voting in favor, while three countries - Russia, China, and Pakistan - abstained. Algeria, the primary supporter of the Polisario Front, opposed the measure. The US ambassador to the UN described the vote as "historic" and said it would help build momentum for a long-overdue peace in Western Sahara.
However, the Algerian ambassador to the UN expressed concerns that the resolution has several shortcomings, particularly with regards to the representation of the Sahrawi people. He argued that the resolution's emphasis on genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty fails to meet the legitimate aspirations of the Western Sahara population.
The UN Security Council also renewed the UN peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara for another year, a move that has sparked demonstrations in Sahrawi refugee camps in Algeria. The protesters vowed not to give up their fight for self-determination, highlighting the long-stalled process and the ongoing tensions between Morocco and the Polisario Front.
The resolution's passage marks a significant development in the decades-long conflict over Western Sahara, with Morocco seeking to solidify its claim to the territory. The US support has been seen as a major boost to Morocco's position, but the lack of a clear path forward for self-determination remains a contentious issue.