UN Backs Morocco's Claim to Western Sahara, Spurning Algeria's Fears
The United Nations Security Council has passed a resolution supporting Morocco's claim to Western Sahara, despite fierce opposition from Algeria. The US-backed measure, which was approved by 11 countries including the US and most European Union members, offers the strongest endorsement yet for Morocco's plan to maintain sovereignty over the disputed territory.
However, the resolution stops short of acknowledging a referendum on self-determination that includes independence as an option, a demand long championed by the Polisario Front and its allies. The UN peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara will continue for another year under this new mandate, but without any reference to Morocco's preferred outcome.
The move has been welcomed by Morocco's King Mohammed VI, who hailed it as a "new chapter" in the process of resolving the long-standing conflict. However, Algerian Ambassador Amar Bendjama warned that the resolution falls short of expectations and fails to address the legitimate aspirations of the people of Western Sahara.
"This is below, below, I say, of the expectations and the legitimate aspirations of the people of Western Sahara, represented by the Polisario Front," Bendjama said. "Genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty could constitute a most feasible solution" - a phrase that has been met with skepticism by the Polisario Front.
The conflict in Western Sahara is one of the most intractable issues in North Africa, with Morocco controlling nearly all of the territory and the Polisario Front operating from refugee camps in Algeria. The UN peacekeeping mission has been in place for over three decades, but progress has been slow.
Morocco's plan to maintain sovereignty over Western Sahara has been met with resistance from the Polisario Front, which claims to represent the Sahrawi people indigenous to the territory. The group has warned that it will not join any process aiming to "legitimise" Morocco's occupation, and that peace can never be achieved by rewarding expansionism.
The resolution is a significant shift in the conflict, with the UN Security Council for the first time giving strong backing to Morocco's claim. However, it remains unclear how this will impact the ongoing negotiations and what implications it has for the long-stalled process of resolving the conflict.
The United Nations Security Council has passed a resolution supporting Morocco's claim to Western Sahara, despite fierce opposition from Algeria. The US-backed measure, which was approved by 11 countries including the US and most European Union members, offers the strongest endorsement yet for Morocco's plan to maintain sovereignty over the disputed territory.
However, the resolution stops short of acknowledging a referendum on self-determination that includes independence as an option, a demand long championed by the Polisario Front and its allies. The UN peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara will continue for another year under this new mandate, but without any reference to Morocco's preferred outcome.
The move has been welcomed by Morocco's King Mohammed VI, who hailed it as a "new chapter" in the process of resolving the long-standing conflict. However, Algerian Ambassador Amar Bendjama warned that the resolution falls short of expectations and fails to address the legitimate aspirations of the people of Western Sahara.
"This is below, below, I say, of the expectations and the legitimate aspirations of the people of Western Sahara, represented by the Polisario Front," Bendjama said. "Genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty could constitute a most feasible solution" - a phrase that has been met with skepticism by the Polisario Front.
The conflict in Western Sahara is one of the most intractable issues in North Africa, with Morocco controlling nearly all of the territory and the Polisario Front operating from refugee camps in Algeria. The UN peacekeeping mission has been in place for over three decades, but progress has been slow.
Morocco's plan to maintain sovereignty over Western Sahara has been met with resistance from the Polisario Front, which claims to represent the Sahrawi people indigenous to the territory. The group has warned that it will not join any process aiming to "legitimise" Morocco's occupation, and that peace can never be achieved by rewarding expansionism.
The resolution is a significant shift in the conflict, with the UN Security Council for the first time giving strong backing to Morocco's claim. However, it remains unclear how this will impact the ongoing negotiations and what implications it has for the long-stalled process of resolving the conflict.
. But at the same time, I'm also wondering if Algeria's concerns are being ignored. Like, what's the deal with this resolution not mentioning a referendum on self-determination? It seems like it's just gonna let Morocco do whatever they want without giving the Sahrawi people any say in the matter 
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. Maybe they can find a way to make Morocco and the Polisario Front work together, or something 
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. Morocco gets some legit recognition but the Polisario Front is still not being heard 
. It's like, what about giving those people a say in their own future? I mean, Western Sahara is supposed to be a special territory with its own people and culture...can't we just get that sorted out for once? 
anyway back to morocco western sahara stuff i feel bad for those people living there they deserve a say in their own lives not just some country controlling most of the land idk what's the deal with the polisario front does anyone know?
I'm like totally surprised by this news! I was expecting more of a split decision, but 11 countries backing Morocco's claim? That's a big win for them 
. But at the same time, I'm also kinda bummed that the UN didn't acknowledge a referendum on self-determination for Western Sahara 
. Maybe it'll lead to some kind of compromise or understanding between Morocco and Western Sahara. Fingers crossed! 
The Polisario Front has been talking about this stuff since forever, but does anyone ever listen? 
! Morocco got the support they needed from the UN 
. cant wait to see what happens next in this whole western sahara saga 
I'm really worried about the people of Western Sahara right now 
Morocco's plan feels like more of the same, just with a stronger stamp of approval from the international community 
it's not about being pessimistic, it's about being realistic and acknowledging that peace won't be achieved overnight 
. I think it's essential to acknowledge the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination and give them a say in their own future 
. The fact that Morocco's plan to maintain control over the territory is being given more weight than the Sahrawi people's aspirations is not ideal 
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Algeria's right to be worried, and the Polisario Front isn't going down without a fight. This is gonna make things harder for peace negotiations, not easier 
we'll just have to wait and see how this whole thing plays out