Algiers, Algeria — The United Nations’Personal Envoy for the Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, has recently signaled a “real opportunity “for a lasting resolution to the long-standing Western Sahara conflict. He emphasized that Morocco’s autonomy plan serves as the cornerstone for such a solution, according to Agence France-Presse. Nut Graf: The Western Sahara conflict, a territorial dispute between Morocco and the Polisario Front, has simmered since the 1970s.
The UN’s renewed backing for Morocco’s autonomy initiative suggests a potential turning point in the negotiations.
The conflict’s origins trace back to 1975 when Spain, the former colonial power, granted independence to the territory. Both Morocco and the Polisario Front claim sovereignty, leading to a protracted conflict that has been mediated by the UN since 1991 through the establishment of MINURSO. Morocco’s autonomy plan, first presented to the UN in 2007, proposes establishing a Sahara Autonomous Region within Moroccan sovereignty.
The Moroccan government views this as a realistic and pragmatic solution. Conversely, the Polisario Front and Algeria advocate for a referendum on self-determination, allowing the Sahrawi people to decide their own future.
The UN Security Council’s recent resolution and the European Union’s unified stance supporting Morocco’s autonomy plan have injected momentum into the negotiations. Key Western powers, including the UK, France, and the Netherlands, have endorsed the autonomy plan as a viable solution. Despite the growing support, the Polisario Front and Algeria remain steadfast in their opposition, demanding a referendum on self-determination.
This stance has created a stalemate, with both sides failing to reach a consensus.
The UN is currently conducting a strategic review of MINURSO’s peacekeeping mission, with its mandate extended through October 2026. This review aims to assess the mission’s effectiveness and explore ways to advance the peace process. Kicker: As the international community supports Morocco’s autonomy plan, the Polisario Front’s demand for a referendum on self-determination remains a critical sticking point.
The future of the Western Sahara remains uncertain, but the recent developments offer a glimmer of hope for a resolution to the long — standing conflict.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: moroccoworldnews
Source: Asmae Daoudi
