Sahara/UN: Washington & Paris support for Morocco’s autonomy plan knocks out Algerian regime

The delusional and autocratic Algerian regime has suffered in New York its worst ever diplomatic setback at the UN Security Council over the Sahara issue.

Serving as a non-permanent member at the Security Council for a limited period, the reckless Algerian rulers, who are suffering from delusions of grandeur, thought their country has become a global influential power which can shape the world the way they want it to be.
However, they were hit by reality of international relations. They bitterly realized their country’s weight on the international scene after Washington and Paris rejected the amendments made by Algeria UN Delegate to the resolution circulated by Washington, penholder on the Sahara.

On Thursday, Algeria watched helplessly the Security Council adopting the resolution 2756 (2024) which extended by an additional year the MINURSO and praised the autonomy plan offered by Morocco for the Sahara under its sovereignty for a lasting resolution of the Sahara issue.

The resolution was passed with an overwhelming majority by the 15-member of UN Security Council with 12 votes in favor, zero against and two abstentions. Algeria did not participate in the vote which has crushed all its dreams of reversing the dynamic of growing international support for Morocco territorial integrity.

Commenting the resolution, the Representative of the United States reiterated support for Morocco’s autonomy described as “serious, credible and realistic” solution to the Sahara regional conflict.

He stressed the need to build on the current dynamic gaining momentum, affirming that negotiations for a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution are “urgently needed without further delay”.

The representative of the United States said “it is more urgent than ever to reach a political solution” for Sahara and that Council members should lend all possible support for a solution that is just, lasting and mutually acceptable.

For his part, the Representative of France reiterated Paris supportive stand for Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara as stated by President Emmanuel Macron during his latest state visit to the North African Kingdom.

He affirmed that for France “the present and the future” of the Sahara lie within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty, reiterating his country’s “clear and constant” support for the autonomy plan as the only basis for resolving this regional dispute.

The French diplomat has commended the inclusive socio-economic development achieved in the southern provinces of Morocco. “The low-intensity hostilities should not make us forget the risks that this conflict poses to the stability of the region and to the local populations”, he added.

The French speaker welcomed the resumption of refuelling operations at its observation sites east of the Berm, underscoring the importance of respecting MINURSO’s freedom of movement.

He added that his delegation did not vote on Algeria’s proposed amendment because it believes that the mandate in its current form is adapted to the situation in Sahara.

“This resolution reaffirms the Council’s commitment to assisting the parties in achieving a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution based on compromise,” said the United Kingdom’s representative.

Several other speakers saw renewing MINURSO’s mandate as key to the region’s well-being. “We think this is critical to maintaining
stability in the area,” Ecuador’s delegate said.

For his part, the Delegate of Sierra Leone urged all parties to the conflict to resume round-table engagements, highlighting the international momentum for the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative.

The UN Security Resolution 2756 called upon “the parties” (Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania and Polisario front) to negotiate under the Secretary-General’s auspices in good faith, building on progress achieved. The Security Council reaffirmed commitment to assist the parties to the conflict to achieve a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution, based on compromise.