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Rabat – Polisario and Algeria are frustrated ahead of the UN Security Council vote, which observers believe will be a historic moment for Morocco’s Western Sahara position.
Converging reports expect the UN Security Council to vote on the new resolution, likely on October 30. Typically, the vote takes place on the same day that the mission’s mandate expires – which is October 31. But the vote is occasionally held a day earlier, taking into account scheduling and procedural considerations.
The US is set to distribute the final “in blue” version of the much-anticipated draft resolution 24 hours at least before the vote, contrary to reports alleging that the penholder of the draft resolution started distributing the draft text.
“In blue” is a term used within the UN Security Council during the final stage of negotiating a draft resolution.
Observers are expecting a historic vote as the resolution could contain a language that aligns with Morocco’s position on Western Sahara, endorsing the Autonomy Plan as the basis for negotiations to end the 50-year-old dispute.
The draft resolution, authored by the US as a pen holder, acknowledges the momentum Morocco’s position is gaining, describing the autonomy initiative as the “most credible basis for a just and lasting solution.”
The draft resolution also extends gratitude to President Trump for his efforts in contributing to resolving the Western Sahara dispute.
Le360 said this will make the first time that the Security Council resolution on the Sahara “has ever cited a foreign head of state for his role in seeking a resolution.”
Like the previous resolutions, the text also emphasizes the importance of the engagement of all parties to the dispute, including Algeria, in consultations with UN Personal Envoy Staffan de Mistura.
The mention will double down on Algeria’s direct involvement in the dispute amid its denial and rejection of its historic responsibility as it hosts, finances, arms, and supports Polisario and their outdated “referendum” and “self-determination” narratives.
Polisario conveyed its frustration over the new draft resolution on Monday, accusing the US of “imposing Morocco’s autonomy plan.”
It also rejects any political process that does not support their outdated “self-determination” narrative.
Algerian news outlet El Khabar quoted sources in New York that said Algeria “may not vote in favor” of the draft resolution, reiterating Algiers’ position and commitment toward the outdated “self-determination and referendum” as the “only solution to definitively end this conflict.”
The new resolution is expected to renew the mandate of MINURSO for six months, departing from the usual one-year term previously adopted.
This comes as the US and over 120 other countries within the international community view the autonomy initiative as the only basis to end the dispute over Western Sahara.
In an interview with Sky News Arabia on Monday, Trump’s senior Advisor Massad Boulos reiterated his country’s position on Western Sahara, describing it as “clear and non-negotiable.”
“Trump recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara within the framework of the autonomy proposal,” Boulos said, stating that for the US, Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces is completely irreversible and not subject to any debate.
“We categorically consider the Moroccan proposal regarding Western Sahara to be the best and only viable approach,” he said, adding that October 30, which marks the UNSC vote, is a “very important deadline.”
He concluded, “We are working intensively with all partners and allies, especially Morocco and Algeria, to reach a Security Council resolution that satisfies everyone as much as possible. We know it’s not easy to please everyone.”
