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The UN Security Council has passed a American-supported resolution that endorses Morocco's claim regarding the contested Western Sahara, notwithstanding significant resistance from neighboring Algeria.

Split Decision Strengthens Morocco's Stance

Although Friday's vote was divided, the resolution represents the most significant endorsement to date for Moroccan plan to maintain control over the territory, which additionally enjoys support from most EU members and a growing number of African partners.

Measure Structure and Key Elements

The resolution refers to Moroccan proposal as a basis for negotiation. Similar to previous measures, the document makes no mention of a vote on independence that contains sovereignty as an option, which constitutes the approach traditionally favored by the pro-independence Polisario Front and its supporters.

Genuine autonomy under Moroccan authority could represent a very practical resolution.

Background Information

Western Sahara is a phosphate-rich stretch of coastal arid land the area of Colorado which was under Spain's rule until 1975. It is asserted by both Morocco and the Polisario movement, which operates from temporary settlements in south-western neighboring Algeria and claims to represent the Sahrawi people native to the disputed region.

Decision Patterns and International Responses

The United States, which sponsored the resolution, guided eleven nations in voting in favor, while 3 countries – Russia, China and Pakistan – declined to vote. The neighboring country, the movement's primary supporter, did not vote.

The US ambassador, the US representative to the United Nations, stated the decision had been "significant" and would "advance the momentum for a long, long overdue peace in the region".

The Algerian ambassador, the Algeria's ambassador to the UN, commented that while the measure was an improvement on earlier iterations, it "still has a series of shortcomings".

Peacekeeping Operation and Future Review

The measure also renews the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the territory for another year, as has been implemented for over thirty years. Prior renewals, though, have not contained a reference to Moroccan and its allies' preferred resolution.

The UN resolution calls on all sides participating to "take this unprecedented chance for a lasting peace." Based on progress, it requests the secretary general to review the peacekeeping mission's mandate within half a year.

Area Impact and Present Conditions

The change could unsettle a long-stalled process that for decades has escaped resolution, notwithstanding a United Nations peacekeeping operation that was designed to be temporary. Demonstrations have ensued in Sahrawi settlements in the neighboring country this recent period, where people have vowed not to abandon their struggle for independence.

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

Past Background and Current Developments

A 1991 truce was intended to facilitate a vote on independence, but disagreements over participation criteria prevented it from taking place.

Over the years, the Moroccan government has developed the disputed territory, building a maritime facility and a long road. Government subsidies keep food and energy costs affordable, and the population has grown significantly as Moroccans settle in cities such as Dakhla and Laayoune.

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

The group has since regularly reported military activity, while Morocco has mostly denied active fighting. The UN calls it "limited tensions".

International Diplomacy and Coming Prospects

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

The situation represents the driving force in north African diplomacy. The Moroccan government considers endorsement of its autonomy plan as a benchmark for how it assesses its allies.

Recently, the UN representative proposed partitioning the territory, a suggestion no party accepted. He urged the government to clarify what autonomy would entail and cautioned that a lack of development might raise questions about the UN's function and "if there remains opportunity and readiness for us to still be useful."

The initiative to review the UN operation comes as the United States reduces financial support for UN programmes and agencies, including security operations.