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The UN Security Council has approved a American-supported measure that endorses Moroccan claim regarding the contested Western Sahara, despite strong opposition from neighboring Algeria.

Split Vote Strengthens Moroccan Stance

Although Friday's decision was split, the resolution constitutes the strongest endorsement yet for Moroccan proposal to maintain sovereignty over the region, which also has backing from the majority of EU members and a growing number of African partners.

Measure Structure and Key Components

The resolution refers to Morocco's plan as a foundation for negotiation. As with previous resolutions, the text makes no mention of a referendum on self-determination that contains independence as an choice, which represents the approach long supported by the independence-seeking Polisario movement and its allies.

Genuine autonomy under Morocco's sovereignty could represent a very practical resolution.

Background Context

The territory is a mineral-rich area of coastline arid land the size of Colorado which was under Spain's control until 1975. It is claimed by both the Moroccan government and the Polisario Front, which functions from refugee camps in south-western neighboring Algeria and claims to speak for the indigenous people indigenous to the disputed region.

Decision Results and Global Responses

The United States, which proposed the measure, led eleven countries in voting in favor, while 3 countries – Russia, China and Pakistan – abstained. The neighboring country, Polisario's primary supporter, did not vote.

The US ambassador, the US ambassador to the United Nations, stated the vote had been "historic" and would "advance the momentum for a long, long overdue peace in Western Sahara".

The Algerian ambassador, the Algerian ambassador to the United Nations, commented that while the resolution was an advancement on previous iterations, it "still has a number of shortcomings".

Peacekeeping Operation and Upcoming Assessment

The resolution also renews the UN peacekeeping mission in the territory for an additional year, as has been implemented for over thirty years. Previous renewals, though, have not contained a mention to Morocco and its allies' preferred resolution.

The UN resolution calls on all sides involved to "seize this unprecedented chance for a enduring resolution." Depending on progress, it asks the secretary general to review the operation's mandate within half a year.

Regional Consequences and Present Conditions

The change could disrupt a long-stalled process that for decades has escaped resolution, notwithstanding a UN peacekeeping mission that was designed to be temporary. Demonstrations have ensued in indigenous refugee camps in the neighboring country this week, where residents have pledged not to give up their fight for independence.

The Moroccan government controls nearly all of Western Sahara, except for a thin strip called the "liberated area" that lies to the east of a Moroccan-built sand wall.

Historical Background and Current Developments

A 1991-era ceasefire was intended to pave the way for a referendum on self-determination, but disagreements over participation criteria blocked it from taking place.

Through time, Morocco has transformed the contested region, building a deepwater port and a 656-mile highway. State subsidies keep food and energy prices low, and the resident count has grown significantly as Moroccan citizens settle in urban areas such as Dakhla and Laayoune.

The movement withdrew from the ceasefire in 2020 after clashes near a route Morocco was paving to neighboring Mauritania.

The movement has since regularly documented security activity, while Morocco has mostly denied active fighting. The UN describes it "low-level tensions".

International Relations and Coming Possibilities

Reacting to the proposed measure, the movement said that it would not participate in any initiative intending "to 'legitimise' Morocco's unauthorized military occupation," saying resolution "can never be achieved by rewarding territorial claims".

The situation constitutes the central issue in north African international relations. The Moroccan government views support for its autonomy plan as a standard for how it assesses its allies.

Recently, the UN envoy proposed dividing Western Sahara, a proposal no party accepted. He urged Morocco to clarify what autonomy would involve and warned that a lack of progress might question the United Nations' function and "if there remains opportunity and readiness for us to still be effective."

The initiative to reassess the UN operation comes as the US slashes funding for United Nations initiatives and organizations, covering security operations.