UN resolution marks a turning point for Sahara autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty

The United Nations Security Council's adoption of Resolution 2797 has reshaped the diplomatic landscape surrounding the Sahara dispute, delivering a significant blow to separatist ambitions supported by Algeria. With 11 votes in favor and three abstentions (Russia, China, and Pakistan), the resolution extends the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Sahara (MINURSO) for one year while affirming Morocco's Autonomy Proposal as the most viable solution to the decades-long conflict.

Massad Boulos, the United States Senior Advisor for Arab and African Affairs, praised the resolution as a decisive step toward peace. "The United States welcomes this historic vote and looks forward to supporting negotiations to achieve a lasting solution, rooted in genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty," Boulos stated. His remarks echoed the position of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, who has called for renewed dialogue between Morocco and Algeria to resolve the conflict and establish a foundation of trust and cooperation.

A new diplomatic framework

The resolution unequivocally endorses Morocco's 2007 Autonomy Proposal as the basis for negotiations, sidelining outdated calls for a referendum promoted by the Polisario Front and its primary backer, Algeria. It instructs the UN Secretary General and his Personal Envoy to facilitate talks grounded in Morocco's framework, signaling a shift in international consensus toward a pragmatic resolution.

Algeria, which abstained from the Security Council vote despite its non-permanent membership, finds itself increasingly isolated in its support for the Polisario separatist movement. This abstention underscores Algeria's diplomatic challenges as its long-standing narrative loses traction on the global stage.

The resolution also comes at a pivotal moment, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of Morocco’s Green March, a symbolic event marking the country's reclaiming of its southern provinces. His Majesty King Mohammed VI described the adoption of Resolution 2797 as a transformative milestone, declaring, "There will be a before and after October 31, 2025."

Boulos’s predictions validated

Massad Boulos’s recent statements highlighted the United States’ commitment to Morocco’s territorial integrity and the Autonomy Proposal. In interviews with Sky News Arabia and Al Hadath earlier this week, Boulos predicted the landmark resolution would solidify international support for Morocco’s position, a forecast that has now been validated.

The Trump administration's recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Sahara in 2020 set the stage for this diplomatic victory, energizing efforts to resolve a conflict that has hindered regional stability for decades. Boulos emphasized Washington’s optimism, rooted in His Majesty King Mohammed VI’s leadership and the potential for constructive dialogue between Morocco and Algeria.

Impact on regional dynamics

For Algeria, the resolution represents a diplomatic setback. Decades of financial and political investment in the Polisario Front have yielded diminishing returns, with the international community increasingly aligning with Morocco’s vision for a peaceful and integrated Maghreb. The Security Council’s language effectively ends the Polisario’s referendum campaign, further isolating Algeria’s military leadership.

His Majesty King Mohammed VI extended an olive branch to Algeria, inviting President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to engage in direct dialogue. The Moroccan monarch reiterated his commitment to building new relations based on trust and mutual respect, underscoring the need for regional unity to achieve shared prosperity.

As Morocco prepares to commemorate the Green March on November 6, the country’s leadership is poised to outline steps for implementing the autonomy plan. Meanwhile, Algeria faces mounting pressure to abandon its adversarial stance and embrace reconciliation with its western neighbor.

The adoption of Resolution 2797 signals a turning point in the Sahara conflict, marking a victory for Morocco’s diplomatic strategy and a call for regional cooperation. The international community now awaits Algeria’s response to this shifting geopolitical reality.