Resolution 2756: a further step towards the moroccanness of the Sahara

The Security Council adopted on Thursday, October 31, with 12 votes in favor, 2 abstentions and Algeria not voting, the resolution 2756 which imposes to respect the compromise and realism to resolve the dispute over Western Sahara. 

1. Round Tables in a realistic and committed framework
2. These are the key points of the decision
3. Reactions from Morocco and Algeria

The Security Council adopted, on Thursday 31 October, with 12 votes in favor, 2 abstentions and Algeria not participating, resolution 2756 imposing respect for compromise and realism to resolve the dispute over Western Sahara.

The decision enjoyed a very significant majority composed of the 4/5 permanent members of the Security Council who voted in favor (United States, China, United Kingdom and France), on the one hand, and 8/10 of the member countries elected by the General Assembly for a two-year mandate (Sierra Leone, Korea, Japan, Guyana, Ecuador, Malta, Switzerland and Slovenia).

After postponing the vote from Wednesday 30 to Thursday 31 October 2024, the UN Security Council adopted by an overwhelming majority the new resolution 2756 on the Sahara. Reaffirming that the year 2007, when Morocco put the autonomy plan on the table, is now the reference point for the solution of the conflict.

Round Tables in a realistic and committed framework

The resolution is in the same line with the resolutions adopted in 2021, 2022 and 2023, aiming at consolidating the path of compromise and realism as a solution to the dispute over Western Sahara, far from a “referendum of self-determination” or a partition of the Sahara between the Kingdom of Allawi and the Polisario Front.

The text of the Security Council resolution insists on round tables. To this end, it calls for informal consultations through which Morocco, the Polisario Front, Mauritania and, once again, Algeria should engage in dialogue in a spirit of realism and compromise.

Algeria is once again asked to return to the process of the round table negotiating table sponsored by the UN which it abandoned to reach together to resolve the conflict peacefully in accordance with the proposed autonomy plan under the sovereignty of Morocco.

It should be recalled that Morocco had categorically rejected this option in 2002, when the former personal envoy James Baker, urged by the Algeria of Abdelaziz Bouteflika, put it on the table, as has been done today.

These are the key points of the decision

• The return of Algiers to the negotiations
• The census of the population of the Tindouf camps.
• The renewal of MINURSO's mandate for one more year, until October 31, 2025.
• The cessation of hostilities and to refrain from any action that threatens peace and security.
• Full and renewed respect for the cease-fire.
• The return to the process of round tables and consultations on the Sahara.
• The satisfaction of Morocco's serious and credible efforts to move the process towards a resolution.
• The non-consideration of any resolution prior to 2007.
• The taking note of the Moroccan proposal presented to the Secretary General on April 11, 2007 as a solution to the dispute.
• 2007 as the reference year for the Security Council to reach a solution to the conflict.
• The resolution clearly identifies the parties to the dispute, including Algeria.
• April 2025: date to resume the process of round tables and consultations on the Sahara, according to the previously agreed format and in the presence of all parties, including Algeria.

 

Reactions from Morocco and Algeria

Morocco welcomes the adoption of Security Council resolution 2756, and reaffirms, in accordance with the statement of Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Residing Abroad, that the political solution can only be realistic, pragmatic, lasting and based on the Moroccan autonomy initiative.

The resolution adopted preserves all the achievements of Morocco on the Sahara issue and culminates its efforts deployed over the years to find a peaceful final solution to the dispute.

As for the reaction of the Algerian representative at the UN, Amar Bendjama, he was described as “childish” for having explained that Algeria's non-participation in the vote in favor of the resolution was the fault of the United States.

The fact that the regime in Algiers asked for a vote on its amendments before the vote on the resolution is indicative of Algeria's intention to use the Security Council as a tool at its disposal to carry out its plans to strike at Morocco.But, it could not succeed when Russia did not support its amendments.

In the face of this failure, and the international recognition of the efficiency of the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco as a definitive solution to the Sahara conflict, the Algerian regime describes as “laborious” the more fluid resolution of the Security Council on the Sahara.

Algeria seeks, in vain, to reform the UN and the Security Council in order to complicate the settlement of the dispute and frustrate Morocco's territorial integrity. Algeria is therefore called upon today, once again, to return to the UN-sponsored round-table negotiation process it abandoned.