The UN Security Council voted on Friday in favor of a resolution put forward by the United States endorsing Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara as the “most viable” solution for the disputed territory.
Thousands of people gathered in the streets of Moroccan cities to celebrate the vote. They were carrying flags and raising patriotic slogans.
However, neighboring Algeria, which abstained from voting, has expressed disappointment at the decision.
Morocco and Algeria face to face
Western Sahara is a mineral-rich former Spanish colony largely controlled by Morocco.
However, the vast region has also been claimed for decades by the pro-independence Polisario Front, which is backed by Algeria.
Morocco claims the region as its own while the Polisario Front wants to establish an independent state called the Sahrawi Republic.
“We urge all parties to use the coming weeks to come to the table and engage in serious discussions,” US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz told the council after the vote. “We believe regional peace is possible this year, and we will do everything we can to facilitate progress.”
Who voted for and against the motion?
Russia, China and Pakistan abstained, while Algeria abstained. The remaining 11 Council members voted in favor of the resolution, renewing for one year the mandate of the United Nations peacekeeping force in Western Sahara, known as MINURSO.
“The final decision on the future cannot belong to anyone other than the people under colonial domination,” Algeria’s UN ambassador Amr Bendjamaa told the council after the vote. “This text ignores the Polisario Front’s proposals… They are a party to the conflict, and their opinions must be heard.”
Meanwhile, Polisario Front representative Sidi Omar said the resolution does not give any recognition to Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara.
The Polisario Front later issued a statement saying they would “not participate in any peace process or negotiations based on proposals aimed at legitimizing the Moroccan military occupation.”
Edited by: Dmytro Lyubenko