KEY POINTS
- UN envoy proposes partition of Western Sahara as a solution to the conflict.
- Neither Morocco nor the Polisario Front accepted the proposal.
- Morocco’s autonomy plan gains increasing international support.
Staffan de Mistura, the UN envoy for Western Sahara, has suggested dividing the disputed area between Morocco and the Polisario Front as a new way to end the region’s decades-long conflict.
The goal of this proposal, which was presented at a Security Council briefing behind closed doors, is to end the political impasse that has lasted for almost 50 years, but neither party has yet to embrace it.
Partition plan to resolve dispute
An experienced Italian diplomat named De Mistura proposed splitting Western Sahara, with Morocco integrating the remaining portion with internationally recognized sovereignty and the southern portion becoming an independent state governed by the Polisario Front.
Morocco, which claims Western Sahara as its territory, has long been at odds with the Algeria-backed Polisario Front, which is fighting for independence. The battle started in 1975.
In spite of his efforts, the Polisario Front and Morocco both opposed the idea of split. De Mistura cautioned that the UN should reevaluate his position as ambassador within the next six months if no progress is made.
According to Reuters, the UN has acknowledged Morocco’s autonomy plan as a “serious and credible” approach to the dispute and urged both parties to cooperate on a politically acceptable resolution.
International support for Morocco’s plan grows
Morocco’s request for autonomy has received a lot of international support in recent years. After the United States, France was the second permanent member of the UN Security Council to support Morocco’s claim to the Western Sahara in July. France’s choice caused a diplomatic rift with Algeria, which resulted in the recall of its ambassador from Paris.
Spain, the former colonial power in Western Sahara, has also accepted Morocco’s autonomy plan, which was approved in 2022.
Rabat’s position has been further strengthened by the opening of consulates in Western Sahara by 29 nations, mostly from Africa and the Arab world, and the declarations of support for Morocco’s sovereignty over the region by a number of Arab monarchies and Israel.
Ongoing conflict despite reduced intensity
After the Polisario Front pulled out of a truce mediated by the UN in 2020, fighting resumed. With sporadic skirmishes, the conflict is still low-intensity.
The impasse still exists despite De Mistura’s persistent attempts to get the sides to the bargaining table. The Polisario demands on a vote with the option of independence, while Morocco is adamant that autonomy is the most it can do.
The situation is still unsolved, and tensions in the region are still present, especially between Morocco and Algeria, where the Western Sahara is still a major source of conflict.
