The year 2025 will be remembered as a watershed in Morocco’s decades-long effort to defend its sovereignty over the Sahara, under the leadership of King Mohammed VI.
Through sustained diplomacy, strategic alliances, and proactive multilateral engagements, Rabat transformed the autonomy plan from a regional proposal into an internationally recognized framework for peace.
The culmination of 26 years of diplomatic perseverance culminated in October with the adoption of UNSC Resolution 2797. For the first time, the Council explicitly invited parties to negotiate on the basis of Morocco’s autonomy initiative under its sovereignty.
The resolution signaled a decisive shift toward realism and pragmatism, as major powers, including the US, France, UK, hailed the resolution as a breakthrough.
To celebrate the event, Morocco declared Oct 31 an annual national Unity Day.
The same year, two influential African nations, Ghana and Kenya, broke with past ambiguity and endorsed the autonomy plan as the only viable solution.
Ghana went further by suspending ties with the Polisario Front, while Kenya reaffirmed its support for Morocco’s autonomy plan for the Sahara territory. These moves underscore Morocco’s success in building African consensus around its vision.
Following Resolution 2797, the European Union welcomed the decision and backed negotiations grounded in Morocco’s autonomy proposal. Belgium backed the plan as “serious, credible, and realistic,” while the Netherlands joined Rabat in a joint declaration affirming autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty as the most feasible solution.
These recent endorsements reflect a growing European alignment with Morocco’s position.
In June, London’s endorsement of the autonomy plan during the Morocco–UK Strategic Dialogue was coupled with economic commitments, including a £5 billion fund for projects in the Sahara.
Across the Atlantic, the US maintained its recognition of Moroccan sovereignty and encouraged American companies to invest in the southern provinces, reinforcing the link between diplomacy and development, while over 30 countries opened consulates in Laâyoune and Dakhla.
2025 showcased Morocco’s ability to convert diplomatic capital into tangible recognition. Today, more than 124 countries back the autonomy initiative, making it the dominant paradigm for resolving the Sahara dispute.
