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The UN Security Council has approved a US-backed resolution that supports Morocco's position regarding the disputed Western Sahara, despite fierce opposition from neighboring Algeria.

Divided Decision Strengthens Morocco's Stance

Although Friday's vote was split, the measure represents the strongest support yet for Morocco's proposal to retain sovereignty over the region, which also has backing from the majority of European Union countries and a growing number of African partners.

Measure Framework and Key Components

The document refers to Morocco's proposal as a foundation for talks. As with earlier measures, the text makes no mention of a vote on independence that includes sovereignty as an option, which constitutes the approach long favored by the pro-independence Polisario movement and its supporters.

Genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty could represent a very practical resolution.

Historical Context

Western Sahara is a phosphate-rich area of coastal desert the size of Colorado which was under Spanish control until the mid-1970s. It is asserted by both the Moroccan government and the Polisario Front, which functions from refugee camps in southwestern neighboring Algeria and claims to speak for the indigenous people native to the contested territory.

Voting Results and Global Reactions

The US, which sponsored the measure, led 11 nations in voting in support, while 3 nations – multiple nations – declined to vote. Algeria, the movement's primary benefactor, did not participate.

Mike Waltz, the US ambassador to the United Nations, stated the decision had been "historic" and would "advance the progress for a long, long overdue resolution in the region".

The Algerian ambassador, the Algeria's ambassador to the UN, commented that while the measure was an advancement on previous iterations, it "contains a number of deficiencies".

Security Mission and Future Review

The resolution also renews the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara for an additional year, as has been done for over thirty years. Previous extensions, though, have not contained a reference to Moroccan and its supporters' favored outcome.

The UN resolution calls on all parties involved to "seize this unique chance for a enduring peace." Based on progress, it asks the UN leader to assess the peacekeeping mission's mandate within half a year.

Area Impact and Present Conditions

The shift could disrupt a long-stalled process that for decades has escaped settlement, notwithstanding a United Nations security operation that was intended to be temporary. Protests have followed in indigenous refugee camps in Algeria this week, where residents have pledged not to give up their struggle for independence.

The Moroccan government controls nearly all of Western Sahara, except for a narrow strip known as the "liberated area" that lies to the east of a Moroccan-built barrier.

Historical Context and Current Events

A 1991 ceasefire was intended to pave the way for a vote on self-determination, but fighting over voter eligibility blocked it from occurring.

Over the years, Morocco has developed the contested territory, building a maritime facility and a 656-mile highway. Government subsidies keep basic commodity costs low, and the resident count has grown significantly as Moroccan citizens establish homes in urban areas such as Dakhla and Laayoune.

The movement ended the ceasefire in 2020 after clashes near a route Morocco was paving to Mauritania.

The group has subsequently regularly documented security operations, while the government has primarily denied open conflict. The UN calls it "low-level tensions".

Global Relations and Future Prospects

In response to the draft resolution, the movement stated that it would not participate in any initiative aiming "to validate Moroccan illegal military occupation," saying peace "can never be achieved by supporting expansionism".

The conflict constitutes the central issue in north African international relations. Morocco views endorsement of its autonomy plan as a standard for how it assesses its international partners.

Recently, the UN envoy proposed partitioning Western Sahara, a proposal no party agreed to. He urged Morocco to clarify what self-rule would entail and warned that a lack of progress might question the United Nations' role and "if there remains opportunity and willingness for us to remain effective."

The initiative to reassess the United Nations Mission comes as the United States reduces funding for United Nations initiatives and organizations, covering peacekeeping.