"UN Resolution on Western Sahara: A Step Toward Peace, But Morocco’s Occupation Remains a Barrier"

The UN Security Council made a landmark decision by renewing the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), signaling the international community’s continued engagement with the longstanding dispute over the status of Western Sahara.

Despite this renewal, the debate remains polarized, with Algeria taking a clear stance in opposing Morocco's ongoing occupation of the territory and emphasizing the fundamental rights of the Sahrawi people to self-determination.
The Renewed MINURSO Mandate: A Step Forward, But Not Enough.

The UN Security Council’s adoption of Resolution 2797 (2025) extended MINURSO's mission for another year, until October 31, 2026. The mission's role is crucial as it continues to oversee the referendum process, which remains the only internationally recognized solution for the region's future status. However, the extension of MINURSO’s mandate was not without controversy.
 

While the Resolution reaffirmed the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination and called for a political solution, it did not resolve the conflict. The language of the Resolution, particularly regarding the Moroccan autonomy plan, was criticized for its lack of inclusivity and flexibility. Morocco’s insistence on imposing its autonomy proposal—while failing to engage in a truly inclusive negotiation process—remains a key barrier to a lasting resolution.

Algeria’s role in this debate is central. As a staunch advocate for the self-determination of the Sahrawi people, Algeria has consistently called for a referendum that respects the will of the Western Sahara’s inhabitants. On October 31, 2025, Algeria made a strong diplomatic statement by abstaining from voting on the renewal of the MINURSO mandate.

This abstention was not just a formal act but a clear rejection of the Resolution’s failure to address the core issue: the right of the Sahrawi people to choose their future, free from external influence and coercion.
 
Algeria’s Critique of the UN Resolution
Algeria’s opposition to the draft Resolution was based on several key concerns. While the draft had been amended to reaffirm the right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination and to encourage negotiations between Morocco and the Polisario Front, Algeria argued that the Resolution lacked the necessary flexibility to achieve a fair and lasting solution.

It imposed a narrow framework that left little room for alternative solutions, disregarding key proposals put forward by the Polisario Front. For Algeria, this was a missed opportunity to build a more inclusive and comprehensive approach to resolving the conflict.

In addition to the failure to accommodate the Polisario Front’s proposals, Algeria raised concerns about the legal ramifications of the Resolution. The unilateral imposition of a solution by Morocco, which denies the Sahrawi people their basic rights, violates international law.

Morocco’s autonomy plan has never been accepted by the international community as the definitive solution, yet the Resolution’s ambiguous language allowed Morocco’s position to gain undue prominence. Algeria expressed disappointment that the Resolution did not go further in addressing the root cause of the conflict: the Moroccan occupation of Western Sahara.

Morocco’s Occupation: A Barrier to Peace
Morocco’s continued occupation of Western Sahara remains the primary obstacle to a peaceful and just resolution of the conflict. Despite international calls for a free and fair referendum, Morocco’s refusal to allow the Sahrawi people to determine their own future has led to years of stagnation and suffering.

The UN Security Council’s recent Resolution reaffirms the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination, but Morocco’s ongoing refusal to engage in genuine negotiations undermines this right.

Morocco’s insistence on its autonomy plan—while denying the Sahrawi people the chance to vote on their future—continues to exacerbate the situation. The autonomy proposal is seen by many as a non-starter, as it fails to address the core issue of self-determination. The international community remains committed to a solution based on the self-determination of the Sahrawi people, but Morocco’s actions have consistently obstructed progress.

Algeria’s position remains firm: the only acceptable solution to the Western Sahara conflict is a free and fair referendum, where the Sahrawi people can decide their future without coercion or manipulation. Algeria has called for a more inclusive and flexible approach, one that respects the rights of the Sahrawi people and the principles of international law.

The UN must remain steadfast in its commitment to these principles and push for meaningful progress towards a final resolution.

The Role of the UN and Future Prospects
The renewal of MINURSO’s mandate provides an opportunity for the UN to reassess its approach to resolving the Western Sahara conflict. The Security Council has made it clear that the resolution of this issue must involve all stakeholders, particularly the Sahrawi people. However, the lack of progress in the referendum process, due to Morocco’s continued obstruction, raises serious concerns about the future of the mission.

Algeria’s diplomatic abstention serves as a reminder of the urgent need for a fair and just resolution. The international community must continue to pressure Morocco to fulfill its international obligations and allow the Sahrawi people to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination.

The road to peace in Western Sahara may be long and difficult, but the commitment to justice and self-determination remains unwavering.

Conclusion
The renewed MINURSO mandate is a significant step, but it is not enough to resolve the Western Sahara conflict. Algeria’s diplomatic stance highlights the continuing injustice faced by the Sahrawi people and the need for a solution based on their right to self-determination.

Morocco’s continued occupation and refusal to allow a referendum violate international law and hinder progress towards a peaceful resolution. The international community must remain committed to a fair and just solution, one that respects the rights of the Sahrawi people and ensures that their future is determined by them, not by external powers.

In the coming year, the international community must work together to put pressure on Morocco, push for genuine negotiations, and ensure that the Sahrawi people’s rights are upheld. Only then can there be hope for a just and lasting resolution to the conflict.

(Author: Sakhawat Khan, Former Senior Humanitarian Coordinator for Eastern and the Horn of Africa, United Nations)

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