The UN Security Council has adopted a US-backed resolution that supports Moroccan claim regarding the contested territory, despite strong opposition from Algeria.
While Friday's vote was divided, the resolution constitutes the most significant support yet for Morocco's proposal to retain sovereignty over the territory, which also enjoys backing from the majority of European Union countries and a increasing number of African partners.
The resolution describes Morocco's proposal as a basis for talks. As with previous resolutions, the text doesn't include a referendum on self-determination that contains sovereignty as an choice, which represents the solution long favored by the pro-independence Polisario movement and its allies.
Real self-rule under Moroccan authority could represent a very practical resolution.
The territory is a phosphate-rich area of coastline arid land the area of Colorado which was under Spanish rule until the mid-1970s. It is claimed by both Morocco and the Polisario movement, which operates from temporary settlements in south-western Algeria and claims to speak for the Sahrawi people indigenous to the contested region.
The US, which proposed the resolution, led 11 countries in deciding in favor, while three countries – Russia, China and Pakistan – declined to vote. The neighboring country, Polisario's primary benefactor, did not participate.
Mike Waltz, the American representative to the UN, stated the vote had been "historic" and would "advance the progress for a much-delayed resolution in the region".
Amar Bendjama, the Algerian ambassador to the UN, commented that while the resolution was an advancement on previous versions, it "still has a number of deficiencies".
The resolution also renews the United Nations security mission in Western Sahara for an additional year, as has been done for more than three decades. Previous extensions, though, have not contained a reference to Morocco and its supporters' favored outcome.
The measure urges all parties participating to "seize this unprecedented chance for a enduring peace." Depending on progress, it requests the secretary general to assess the peacekeeping mission's mandate within half a year.
The shift could unsettle a protracted process that for many years has escaped settlement, desdespite a United Nations peacekeeping mission that was designed to be short-term. Protests have followed in indigenous settlements in the neighboring country this recent period, where residents have pledged not to give up their struggle for independence.
The Moroccan government controls nearly all of the territory, excluding a thin strip called the "liberated area" that lies east of a Moroccan-built sand wall.
A 1991-era truce was intended to facilitate a referendum on self-determination, but disagreements over participation criteria prevented it from occurring.
Over the years, the Moroccan government has developed the contested territory, constructing a maritime facility and a 656-mile road. Government subsidies keep food and energy costs low, and the population has grown significantly as Moroccans settle in urban areas such as major settlements.
The movement withdrew from the ceasefire in recent years after confrontations near a road Morocco was constructing to Mauritania.
The movement has since regularly reported security activity, while the government has primarily rejected claims of active fighting. The United Nations describes it "low-level hostilities".
Reacting to the proposed measure, Polisario stated that it would not join any initiative intending "to 'legitimise' Morocco's illegal presence," saying resolution "cannot happen by supporting expansionism".
The conflict represents the driving force in regional international relations. Morocco considers endorsement of its proposal as a benchmark for how it assesses its international partners.
Recently, the UN envoy suggested dividing the territory, a suggestion no party accepted. He encouraged the government to specify what self-rule would involve and cautioned that a lack of development might question the United Nations' role and "if there remains opportunity and readiness for us to still be effective."
The push to review the United Nations Mission comes as the US slashes financial support for UN programmes and organizations, covering security operations.
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