UN to vote on resolution endorsing autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty

The UN Security Council will vote this Oct 31 on a resolution that calls for the parties to negotiate on the basis of Morocco’s autonomy plan as the conflict nears its 50th anniversary.

Morocco’s Autonomy Proposal,first submitted in 2007,is described in the resolution as a “most feasible” basis for a just,lasting,and mutually acceptable solution.

The resolution expressed full support for Secretary-General António Guterres and his Personal Envoy,Staffan de Mistura,in their efforts to advance the political process.

The resolution calls on all parties to engage in discussions without preconditions,taking the Autonomy Proposal as the basis for talks.

The resolution extends the MINURSO mandate to October 2026. But had asked for a strategic review of MINURSO’s mandate within six months,based on the outcome of the negotiations.

This week,Algeria has shown that it is the genuine party opposing Morocco’s sovereignty over its south. Algerian diplomacy has tried in vain to omit any mention of autonomy in the text.

The resolution needs nine votes and no vetoes to be adopted.