UN Resolution: A Path to Peace in Western Sahara

On Friday, the United Nations Security Council approved a resolution promoting genuine autonomy for Western Sahara under Moroccan sovereignty, suggesting this may be the best resolution to the long-standing conflict with the Algeria-backed Polisario Front.

Morocco treats Western Sahara as its domain, while the Polisario Front seeks an independent nation. The UN resolution, driven by the United States, pushes both parties to resume negotiations, leveraging Morocco's 2007 autonomy plan. The resolution also extends the UN peacekeeping presence in the region for an additional year.

Algeria and the Polisario Front voiced objections, with Algeria’s U.N. Ambassador Amar Bendjama criticizing the resolution for dismissing Polisario’s proposals. While most council members supported it, Algeria abstained, questioning its legitimacy and insisting the region’s future lies with its residents.