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The UN Security Council has adopted a American-supported resolution that endorses Morocco's position regarding the disputed Western Sahara, despite significant opposition from neighboring Algeria.

Split Decision Bolsters Moroccan Stance

Although Friday's decision was split, the measure represents the strongest support to date for Moroccan plan to retain sovereignty over the territory, which also enjoys support from the majority of EU countries and a growing number of African nation allies.

Measure Structure and Key Elements

The document describes Moroccan plan as a basis for talks. As with previous resolutions, the document makes no mention of a vote on self-determination that contains sovereignty as an choice, which represents the approach traditionally supported by the pro-independence Polisario Front and its allies.

Real self-rule under Moroccan sovereignty could represent a very practical solution.

Historical Context

The territory is a phosphate-rich stretch of coastline desert the area of Colorado which was under Spain's rule until 1975. It is claimed by both Morocco and the Polisario Front, which functions from refugee camps in southwestern Algeria and asserts to represent the Sahrawi people native to the contested region.

Voting Patterns and International Reactions

The United States, which proposed the measure, led 11 nations in voting in support, while three nations – Russia, China and Pakistan – declined to vote. Algeria, the movement's primary benefactor, did not participate.

Mike Waltz, the US ambassador to the United Nations, said the decision had been "historic" and would "build on the progress for a much-delayed peace in the region".

Amar Bendjama, the Algerian representative to the UN, commented that while the resolution was an advancement on earlier versions, it "contains a series of shortcomings".

Peacekeeping Mission and Future Review

The measure also extends the UN security operation in Western Sahara for an additional year, as has been implemented for over three decades. Prior extensions, however, have not contained a mention to Moroccan and its supporters' preferred resolution.

The UN resolution calls on all sides involved to "take this unprecedented chance for a lasting peace." Based on developments, it requests the secretary general to assess the operation's mandate within six months.

Regional Impact and Current Conditions

The change could unsettle a long-stalled process that for decades has eluded resolution, notwithstanding a United Nations security mission that was designed to be short-term. Protests have ensued in indigenous settlements in the neighboring country this recent period, where people have vowed not to give up their fight for independence.

Morocco controls almost all of the territory, excluding a thin strip called the "free zone" that lies to the east of a Moroccan-built sand wall.

Historical Context and Current Events

A 1991-era truce was intended to facilitate a referendum on self-determination, but disagreements over participation criteria prevented it from occurring.

Through time, the Moroccan government has transformed the contested territory, constructing a deepwater port and a long highway. Government subsidies keep food and energy costs affordable, and the population has ballooned as Moroccans establish homes in urban areas such as Dakhla and Laayoune.

Polisario ended the truce in 2020 after confrontations near a route the government was paving to Mauritania.

The movement has since regularly reported security operations, while Morocco has mostly rejected claims of active fighting. The UN calls it "low-level tensions".

International Diplomacy and Future Prospects

Reacting to the draft resolution, Polisario stated that it would not join any initiative aiming "to validate Moroccan unauthorized presence," adding resolution "can never be achieved by rewarding territorial claims".

The conflict represents the driving force in north African international relations. The Moroccan government considers support for its autonomy plan as a benchmark for how it gauges its allies.

Last October, the UN envoy suggested partitioning the territory, a proposal no party accepted. He urged Morocco to clarify what autonomy would involve and warned that a absence of development might raise questions about the United Nations' function and "whether there is space and readiness for us to still be useful."

The push to review the United Nations Mission comes as the United States slashes funding for United Nations initiatives and organizations, covering peacekeeping.