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UN Security Council Sets Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as Negotiating Framework for Western Sahara

The one-year MINURSO renewal signals a shift toward autonomy-focused talks, polarizing the parties.

Overview

  • Members approved the resolution 11–0 with three abstentions (China, Russia, Pakistan), Algeria declined to participate, and MINURSO was extended to October 31, 2026.
  • The text urges talks without preconditions using Morocco’s 2007 plan as the base while referencing Sahrawi self-determination, and it drops explicit language calling for a referendum.
  • Morocco welcomed the move; King Mohamed VI hailed a “new chapter” and said Rabat will update and refine its autonomy offer as crowds celebrated in major cities.
  • Algeria criticized the resolution as unbalanced and outside UN decolonization doctrine, and the Polisario said it will not accept outcomes that bypass a referendum, arguing the text does not impose autonomy.
  • The United States led the drafting and pushed autonomy as the most feasible outcome, with a tougher initial proposal softened to avoid vetoes as Russia and China abstained.