Sahara: King Mohammed VI welcomes UN Security Council resolution as historic turning point

King Mohammed VI welcomed the UN Security Council resolution stating that Morocco’s autonomy should be the basis of talks to settle the Sahara conflict.

Morocco has entered “a new chapter in the process of consolidating the Moroccanness of the Sahara,” following the
adoption of a pivotal resolution by the United Nations Security Council, the King said in a powerful message.

The decision was “a manifest Victory,” quoting the Quranic verse: “Verily, We have granted you a manifest Victory.”

Delivered on the eve of the 50th anniversary of the Green March and the 70th anniversary of Morocco’s independence, the speech marked a historic milestone in the Kingdom’s decades-long diplomatic efforts.

“This is a pivotal moment and a crucial turning point in the history of modern Morocco,” the King affirmed. “There is a before October 31, 2025 era, and an after October 30.”

The resolution, which endorses Morocco’s Autonomy Initiative as the sole framework for resolving the Sahara conflict, was hailed by the King as a culmination of years of strategic diplomacy.

“The momentum I have created in recent years has begun to bear fruit on all fronts,” he said, noting that “two-thirds of UN Member States now consider the Autonomy Initiative to be the only framework for resolving this conflict.”

The Monarch emphasized that the resolution not only affirms Morocco’s territorial integrity but also opens the door to economic transformation.

“Recognition of the Kingdom’s economic sovereignty over the southern provinces has increased significantly,” he said, citing support from global powers including the United States, France, Britain, Russia, Spain, and the European Union.

“Our southern provinces can now become a hub for development and stability, and a major economic centre in the
region, including the Sahel and the Sahara,” he said.

Looking ahead, the King announced that Morocco will update and submit its Autonomy Initiative to the United Nations “to serve as the sole basis for negotiation, given that it is the only realistic, viable solution.”

The Monarch expressed gratitude to international allies, singling out “our friend His Excellency President Donald Trump” for his role in paving the way for a final settlement, and thanking Britain, Spain, and especially France for their efforts.

Despite the diplomatic success, the King underscored Morocco’s commitment to a peaceful and inclusive resolution. “Morocco does not see these developments as a victory, nor will it exploit them to fuel conflict and disputes,” he said.

In a heartfelt appeal, he invited the inhabitants of the Tindouf camps to “seize this historic opportunity” and rejoin their families under the Autonomy Initiative, which allows them to “contribute to managing their local affairs, develop their homeland, and build their future within a unified Morocco.”

The King also extended an olive branch to Algeria, calling on President Abdelmajid Tebboune to “launch together a
sincere, brotherly dialogue between Morocco and Algeria,” aimed at overcoming differences and building new relations based on trust and neighborliness.

He reiterated his commitment to reviving the Maghreb Union “based on mutual respect, cooperation and integration.”

The Monarch concluded by honoring the sacrifices of all Moroccans, especially those in the southern provinces, and commending the nation’s diplomatic and security institutions. “I cannot but express my pride and appreciation to all my loyal subjects… who have always shown unflinching commitment to the nation’s sacred, immutable values,” he said.

As Morocco celebrates the anniversary of the Green March, the King paid tribute to the Royal Armed Forces and all
branches of the security apparatus for their role in defending the country’s unity. He offered a prayer of remembrance for his father, the late King Hassan II, “the architect of the Green March,” and for all the martyrs of the nation.

This moment, as framed by the King’s words, is not just a diplomatic achievement—it is a reaffirmation of Morocco’s enduring commitment to unity, peace, and regional cooperation.