The UN Continues to Debate the Sovereignty of Western Sahara

By Abby Burczyk

On October 31, the United Nations Security Council backed a resolution for Western Sahara to maintain autonomy under Moroccan rule. Though Morocco has presented similar resolutions to develop governmental systems for Western Sahara since 2007, the most recent resolution was written by the United States. The Trump administration has been very supportive of Morocco’s claim over Western Sahara and led the Security Council in voting in favor of this resolution. Since the beginning of the Trump administration, several European countries have positioned their selves behind Morocco in the claim of Western Sahara. In following this trend, 11 countries voted in favor while Russia, China, and Pakistan abstained from the vote. One country, Algeria, did not vote on the resolution because the country is backing the Polisario Front, a group that claims the Western Sahara. 

The resolution in favor of Morocco’s claim deliberately ignores additional claims of the Western Sahara by the Algerian backed Polisario Front. During the drafting process, the goal of the resolution remained as a starting point for negotiations between opposing parties. Despite this, representatives of both Algeria and the Polisario Front have opposed the resolution due to lack of language on self-determination. Algeria and the Polisario Front believe the Western Sahara should become a fully independent state. Like previous Security Council resolutions, the new measure extends the UN peacekeeping mission in the Western Sahara for the next year. Unlike previous extensions, the new resolution is the first to mention a preference toward Morocco.  

The Polisario Front operates out of Sahrawi refugee camps in Algeria. In response to the Security Council resolution, demonstrations have broken out. The Sahrawi people have vowed to never stopping fighting for self-determination for Western Sahara. The Polisario Front and Morocco signed a ceasefire in 1991 with the intention of eventual self-determination votes, however, both parties disputed over voter eligibility. The Polisario Front pulled out of the ceasefire in 2020. Since, the Polisario Front has continuously reported military activity despite the denial by Moroccan officials. The Security Council resolution could be the first major step in shifting global recognition of Western Sahara. Additionally, the backing of Morrocco in the dispute represents new American priorities in African diplomacy.