UNITED NATIONS: The UN Security Council voted Friday in favor of a resolution brought forward by the United States backing Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara as the “most feasible” solution for the disputed territory, angering Algeria.
The Western Sahara is a vast mineral-rich former Spanish colony that is largely controlled by Morocco but has been claimed for decades by the pro-independence Polisario Front, which is supported by Algeria.
The Security Council had previously urged Morocco, the Polisario Front, Algeria and Mauritania to resume talks to reach a broad agreement.
But, at the initiative of Donald Trump’s administration, the council shifted to support a plan, initially presented by Rabat in 2007, in which Western Sahara would enjoy autonomy under Morocco’s sole sovereignty.
The resolution, adopted by 11 votes with none against and three abstentions — with Algeria refusing to participate — said autonomy for Western Sahara under Moroccan sovereignty may be the basis for future negotiations to resolve the 50-year-old conflict.
