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The UN Security Council has adopted a US-backed resolution that supports Morocco's position regarding the disputed territory, notwithstanding strong resistance from Algeria.

Divided Decision Strengthens Morocco's Stance

Although the recent decision was divided, the resolution constitutes the most significant support to date for Moroccan proposal to retain sovereignty over the region, which also enjoys backing from the majority of European Union members and a growing number of African partners.

Measure Structure and Key Elements

The resolution refers to Moroccan plan as a foundation for talks. As with earlier measures, the text doesn't include a vote on self-determination that contains sovereignty as an choice, which constitutes the approach long favored by the independence-seeking Polisario movement and its allies.

Real self-rule under Moroccan authority could represent a very practical resolution.

Historical Information

Western Sahara is a phosphate-rich stretch of coastline desert the area of a US state which was under Spanish rule until 1975. It is claimed by both the Moroccan government and the Polisario movement, which operates from refugee camps in south-western neighboring Algeria and asserts to represent the indigenous people indigenous to the disputed territory.

Decision Results and Global Reactions

The US, which proposed the measure, guided eleven countries in deciding in favor, while 3 nations – Russia, China and Pakistan – declined to vote. Algeria, the movement's primary supporter, did not vote.

The US ambassador, the American ambassador to the UN, stated the decision had been "significant" and would "advance the progress for a much-delayed peace in the region".

Amar Bendjama, the Algeria's ambassador to the UN, said that while the measure was an advancement on earlier versions, it "contains a number of deficiencies".

Security Operation and Future Review

The measure also extends the UN security operation in the territory for an additional year, as has been done for more than thirty years. Previous renewals, however, have not included a mention to Moroccan and its allies' favored resolution.

The measure calls on all sides involved to "seize this unique opportunity for a lasting peace." Depending on developments, it asks the secretary general to review the peacekeeping mission's mandate within half a year.

Regional Consequences and Current Situation

The change could unsettle a long-stalled situation that for many years has eluded settlement, desdespite a United Nations security mission that was designed to be temporary. Demonstrations have ensued in Sahrawi refugee camps in the neighboring country this recent period, where people have pledged not to abandon their struggle for independence.

Morocco controls nearly all of Western Sahara, excluding a narrow area called the "free zone" that lies to the east of a constructed by Morocco sand wall.

Historical Context and Recent Developments

A 1991 truce was meant to facilitate a referendum on self-determination, but disagreements over participation criteria blocked it from taking place.

Through time, Morocco has transformed the contested territory, building a deepwater port and a 656-mile highway. Government support keep basic commodity prices low, and the population has grown significantly as Moroccans settle in cities such as Dakhla and Laayoune.

The movement ended the ceasefire in recent years after confrontations near a road the government was paving to neighboring Mauritania.

The movement has since regularly reported military activity, while Morocco has mostly rejected claims of active fighting. The UN calls it "low-level hostilities".

International Relations and Future Prospects

In response to the draft resolution, the movement said that it would not join any process intending "to 'legitimise' Morocco's unauthorized presence," adding peace "cannot happen by rewarding territorial claims".

The conflict constitutes the central issue in north African international relations. The Moroccan government considers endorsement of its proposal as a benchmark for how it assesses its allies.

Last October, the UN representative suggested partitioning Western Sahara, a suggestion neither side agreed to. He encouraged Morocco to clarify what self-rule would entail and cautioned that a absence of progress might question the UN's role and "whether there is space and willingness for us to remain effective."

The initiative to review the UN operation comes as the US reduces funding for United Nations initiatives and organizations, including security operations.