Algeria under international pressure as Morocco's Autonomy Plan gains ground
- Visit by the US envoy to Algiers
- Support from countries and positioning in the Security Council
- Rabat's position and implementation of autonomy
- Pressure on Algeria and the referendum debate
- Rejection by the Polisario Front
- Diplomatic progress and development in Western Sahara
The Western Sahara conflict is at a crucial point, with Morocco's Autonomy Plan proposal receiving increasing international support, such as the recent reaffirmation by countries such as France and Senegal.
Due to UN Security Council Resolution 2797 and the support of the United States, Morocco has gained diplomatic ground, placing Rabat in a better position compared to Algeria's stance, which has always been that self-determination must be achieved through a referendum.
Visit by the US envoy to Algiers
Against this backdrop, US envoy Massad Boulos has been in Algiers to meet with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf and several other Algerian officials with the aim of involving Algeria in the resolution of the conflict in a constructive manner.
In an official statement, Boulos said that the United States reaffirms its strong bilateral relationship with Algeria and how this must serve to find avenues for dialogue to finally achieve peace and security in the region. These words were well received in Rabat and once again show the way towards a final resolution of the conflict guided by the Moroccan Autonomy Plan, since, as the United Nations Security Council pointed out, ‘it is the only serious, credible and realistic plan for the Sahara region’.
Support from countries and positioning in the Security Council
More than 120 countries have clearly stated their position in support of Morocco's Autonomy Plan. The United States believes that this plan is the cornerstone for reaching a truly lasting agreement.
The US ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, made it clear that the Security Council vote was ‘a big step towards achieving peace in Western Sahara’. He insisted that all negotiations should be based on the proposal put forward by Morocco.
Rabat's position and implementation of autonomy
King Mohammed VI, referring to the resolution, said it was ‘a historic change that propels the region towards stability and development’. Rabat has made it clear that, while its proposal gives the Sahrawis real self-government, they would retain Moroccan control over defence, foreign policy and security.
With this strategy, Morocco has managed to implement development measures in the regions of Western Sahara. This has helped the people there to become better integrated politically, economically and socially, demonstrating that autonomy, when put into practice, yields tangible results.
Pressure on Algeria and the referendum debate
International pressure is causing Algeria to begin to rethink its rigid stance, despite the fact that Algerian diplomacy insists on the need for a referendum on self-determination. However, international approval of Morocco's Autonomy Plan makes this difficult.
Several international analysts point out that Algeria should lay the groundwork for dialogue with Morocco to bring a real end to the conflict. The lack of support for both Algiers and its armed wing in the region, the Polisario Front, leaves them with no choice but to try to discuss the situation, putting historical rivalries aside.
Rejection by the Polisario Front
However, the Polisario Front continues to reject Rabat's proposal. Mohamed Yeslam Beissat, its representative, stated that ‘they will not tolerate any solution imposed on them’.
Meanwhile, Morocco is moving forward. Experts say that if we combine the support Morocco receives from other countries with US diplomacy, Rabat would consolidate its position as a leader in the region. This would not only help to increase security in its territory, but could also lead to normalisation of relations with Algeria, provided that Algiers decides to maintain a position of dialogue.
Diplomatic progress and development in Western Sahara
Development in the provinces of Western Sahara is consolidating the Moroccan initiative as a good, practical and lasting solution.
The UN, the United States and an increasing number of countries are viewing the Autonomy Plan favourably and recognising that it has clear political viability. This reinforces Rabat's influence and its ability to implement real change in Western Sahara.
Through a combination of diplomacy and practical work, Morocco has managed to transform a conflict that has lasted for more than five decades into a path towards integration and stability in the region, which is consequently strengthening Morocco's position vis-à-vis Algeria and the Polisario.