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The UN Security Council has passed a US-backed resolution that favors Moroccan position regarding the disputed Western Sahara, despite significant opposition from neighboring Algeria.

Split Decision Bolsters Morocco's Position

Although the recent vote was divided, the measure represents the strongest support yet for Moroccan plan to retain sovereignty over the territory, which also enjoys backing from the majority of EU countries and a growing number of African allies.

Resolution Structure and Important Elements

The resolution describes Morocco's plan as a foundation for negotiation. As with earlier measures, the document makes no mention of a vote on self-determination that contains independence as an choice, which represents the approach traditionally favored by the independence-seeking Polisario movement and its supporters.

Genuine self-rule under Moroccan authority could represent a most practical resolution.

Background Information

Western Sahara is a phosphate-rich area of coastline arid land the size of a US state which was under Spain's rule until 1975. It is asserted by both the Moroccan government and the Polisario movement, which functions from refugee camps in south-western neighboring Algeria and claims to represent the indigenous people indigenous to the disputed territory.

Voting Patterns and International Reactions

The United States, which sponsored the resolution, guided 11 countries in deciding in support, while three nations – Russia, China and Pakistan – declined to vote. Algeria, the movement's main supporter, did not participate.

Mike Waltz, the American representative to the United Nations, said the decision had been "significant" and would "build on the momentum for a much-delayed peace in Western Sahara".

The Algerian ambassador, the Algeria's representative to the UN, said that while the measure was an advancement on previous iterations, it "contains a number of deficiencies".

Security Operation and Future Review

The measure also extends the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the territory for an additional twelve months, as has been done for more than three decades. Prior renewals, though, have not contained a mention to Moroccan and its supporters' preferred resolution.

The measure urges all parties involved to "seize this unique opportunity for a enduring peace." Based on progress, it asks the secretary general to assess the peacekeeping mission's mandate within half a year.

Regional Consequences and Current Situation

The shift could unsettle a protracted process that for many years has escaped settlement, notwithstanding a United Nations security operation that was intended to be short-term. Protests have followed in indigenous settlements in Algeria this week, where residents have vowed not to abandon their struggle for independence.

Morocco controls nearly all of the territory, except for a thin area called the "liberated area" that lies to the east of a constructed by Morocco barrier.

Past Background and Current Events

A 1991-era ceasefire was meant to pave the way for a vote on self-determination, but fighting over participation criteria prevented it from occurring.

Through time, Morocco has developed the contested territory, building a deepwater port and a long highway. Government support keep basic commodity costs low, and the population has grown significantly as Moroccans settle in urban areas such as Dakhla and Laayoune.

The movement ended the ceasefire in 2020 after confrontations near a route the government was paving to neighboring Mauritania.

The movement has subsequently regularly documented military activity, while Morocco has mostly rejected claims of active fighting. The UN describes it "low-level tensions".

Global Relations and Coming Prospects

Reacting to the proposed measure, the movement said that it would not join any initiative aiming "to validate Morocco's illegal presence," saying resolution "cannot happen by rewarding expansionism".

The situation constitutes the driving force in regional diplomacy. Morocco considers support for its proposal as a standard for how it gauges its international partners.

Recently, the UN envoy proposed partitioning Western Sahara, a suggestion no party accepted. He encouraged Morocco to clarify what self-rule would entail and cautioned that a absence of development might raise questions about the UN's function and "if there remains opportunity and readiness for us to remain effective."

The push to review the UN operation comes as the US reduces funding for UN programmes and organizations, including peacekeeping.