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The UN Security Council has adopted a US-backed resolution that endorses Morocco's position regarding the contested territory, notwithstanding strong opposition from Algeria.

Split Vote Bolsters Morocco's Stance

While Friday's decision was split, the resolution constitutes the most significant support to date for Morocco's proposal to retain sovereignty over the region, which also enjoys support from the majority of EU countries and a growing number of African nation allies.

Resolution Structure and Key Components

The resolution describes Morocco's plan as a foundation for negotiation. Similar to earlier measures, the text doesn't include a referendum on independence that contains independence as an option, which represents the approach traditionally favored by the pro-independence Polisario movement and its allies.

Genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty could represent a most practical solution.

Background Information

Western Sahara is a phosphate-rich area of coastline arid land the area of a US state which was under Spain's rule until 1975. It is claimed by both Morocco and the Polisario Front, which operates from refugee camps in southwestern Algeria and claims to speak for the Sahrawi people native to the disputed region.

Voting Patterns and Global Responses

The United States, which sponsored the measure, guided eleven nations in deciding in support, while 3 nations – Russia, China and Pakistan – declined to vote. Algeria, Polisario's main benefactor, did not vote.

Mike Waltz, the US ambassador to the United Nations, stated the decision had been "significant" and would "build on the progress for a long, long overdue peace in Western Sahara".

Amar Bendjama, the Algeria's representative to the UN, commented that while the measure was an improvement on previous versions, it "contains a number of shortcomings".

Security Operation and Upcoming Assessment

The measure also extends the United Nations security operation in Western Sahara for an additional year, as has been implemented for over thirty years. Previous renewals, though, have not included a mention to Morocco and its allies' favored outcome.

The UN resolution calls on all parties participating to "seize this unique chance for a lasting resolution." Depending on progress, it asks the secretary general to review the operation's authority within half a year.

Area Impact and Present Conditions

The shift could disrupt a long-stalled process that for decades has eluded settlement, notwithstanding a UN security operation that was designed to be temporary. Protests have followed in Sahrawi refugee camps in Algeria this week, where people have vowed not to abandon their fight for self-determination.

The Moroccan government controls almost all of Western Sahara, except for a narrow area known as the "free zone" that lies east of a Moroccan-built sand wall.

Past Context and Recent Events

A 1991 ceasefire was meant to facilitate a vote on self-determination, but disagreements over participation criteria blocked it from taking place.

Over the years, Morocco has transformed the contested territory, constructing a maritime facility and a long highway. State support keep food and energy prices low, and the resident count has ballooned as Moroccans settle in cities such as major settlements.

The movement ended the truce in 2020 after confrontations near a road Morocco was constructing to Mauritania.

The movement has since regularly reported security activity, while Morocco has mostly denied open conflict. The UN describes it "limited hostilities".

Global Diplomacy and Future Prospects

In response to the proposed measure, Polisario stated that it would not participate in any initiative aiming "to validate Moroccan illegal presence," adding peace "can never be achieved by supporting expansionism".

The situation represents the driving force in north African international relations. The Moroccan government considers endorsement of its proposal as a benchmark for how it gauges its international partners.

Last October, the UN representative suggested partitioning the territory, a proposal neither side agreed to. He encouraged Morocco to clarify what autonomy would entail and cautioned that a absence of progress might question the UN's role and "if there remains opportunity and willingness for us to remain effective."

The initiative to review the United Nations Mission comes as the US reduces funding for United Nations initiatives and agencies, covering peacekeeping.