UN/Sahara: Washington reaffirms steadfast backing to Morocco’s Autonomy Plan

The Biden Administration reaffirmed, on Thursday, at the UN Security Council, strong backing to Morocco’s autonomy plan offered for the Sahara, describing the plan as a “serious, credible and realistic” solution to the Sahara regional dispute.

“We continue to view Morocco’s autonomy plan as serious, credible and realistic solution” said U.S. Ambassador Jeffrey DeLaurentis following the adoption by the Security Council of resolution 2654 extending the mandate of MINURSO until 31 October 2023.

The United States, penholder of the resolutions on the Sahara, is “pleased to see the Council reaffirms its support for the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy Staffan de Mistura and MINURSO”, he said.

The US diplomat also underlined the Council’s support for the UN Sahara envoy in his efforts to facilitate a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution to the Sahara conflict.

In this vein, he urged all parties to the Sahara conflict to engage in good faith with Staffan de Mistura to advance towards a lasting and peaceful solution and prosperous future in the region.

He called for the restoration of freedom of movement of MINURSO peacekeepers, making reference to the Polisario militias’ obstructions and provocative acts.

Ambassador Jeffrey DeLaurentis also called for the resumption of safe and regular re-supply of MINURSO team sites, voicing concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Polisario-controlled camps, in Southern Algeria.

Moroccan Foreign ministry welcomed the adoption by the UN Security Council of resolution 2654, urging the real parties to the conflict, including Algeria, to act in good faith towards a realistic solution based on compromise which can be reached only through the autonomy plan.

The new resolution comes amid a growing international support for Morocco’s territorial integrity with 30 countries having consulates in the Sahara and over 84% UN member countries do not recognize the Algeria-backed separatist entity.

The resolution also stresses the need to continue the UN-led round table process, renews supports for Morocco’s autonomy plan proposed for the Sahara, urges Algeria to allow a census of the population held by Polisario in the Tindouf camps and warns the separatist group for hindering MINURSO mission.