Satisfaction of the Canary Islands-Sahrawi Forum with the UN's support for Morocco's autonomy plan for the Sahara
- A historic vote
- The Forum's consistent position since 2007
- An unprecedented international consensus
- A decisive moment for peace
- A special link with the Canary Islands
- Conclusion
The Canary Islands Sahrawi Forum welcomes with great satisfaction the historic resolution adopted on Friday, October 31, 2025, by the United Nations Security Council, which marks a decisive turning point in the protracted conflict in Western Sahara and represents the strongest endorsement by the international community of the autonomy proposal presented by the Kingdom of Morocco in 2007.
A historic vote
The resolution, approved with eleven votes in favor, three abstentions, none against, and Algeria's walkout from the vote, extends MINURSO's mandate until October 31, 2026, but does so by establishing for the first time, repeatedly and explicitly, that negotiations must be conducted “on the basis of Morocco's autonomy proposal.” The text recognizes that “genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty could be the most feasible solution” to the conflict, constituting an unprecedented qualitative advance in the Security Council's mandates.
This resolution represents an evolution from previous ones since 2007. While previous resolutions merely “took note” of the Moroccan initiative and “welcomed Morocco's serious and credible efforts,” the current one categorically states that negotiations must be based on that proposal. What makes it a historic precedent is that the solution to the conflict within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty is now included in an explicit Security Council resolution.
The Forum's consistent position since 2007
Since our founding in 2007, the Canary Islands-Sahrawi Forum has maintained a clear and consistent position: the Moroccan autonomy proposal represents the only realistic way to end half a century of conflict and reunite the terribly fractured Sahrawi families.
We have tirelessly argued that the solution lies in the return of the inhabitants of the refugee camps to the Moroccan Sahara and the reunification of families separated since 1975. We maintained that such reunification could only be achieved from a realistic position: broad autonomy, the proposal for which, once accepted by the parties, would be fleshed out and expanded in further negotiations.
This fact debunks the “fallacy of the three pages,” the derogatory name given to this embryonic proposal by some political and media sectors in Spain. Yesterday's resolution is the first step toward developing the 35 points it contains, putting an end to half a century of endless and artificial chaos that should never have happened.
When the Spanish government announced in March 2022 its recognition of the Moroccan proposal as “the most serious, realistic, and credible basis,” the Forum applauded that decision. Now, after three years, the UN Security Council has ratified and elevated to the status of international doctrine the position that we in the Canary Islands have been defending for fifteen years.
An unprecedented international consensus
The resolution consolidates a progressive international consensus. The United States recognized Moroccan sovereignty in 2020, Spain in 2022, France in 2024, and the United Kingdom in July 2025. Three of the five permanent members of the Security Council explicitly support the Moroccan proposal.
At the European level, more than twenty European Union member states have expressed their support for the Moroccan plan. More than thirty countries have opened consulates in Laayoune and Dakhla as unequivocal testimony to international recognition of Moroccan sovereignty.
A decisive moment for peace
The resolution requests the UN Secretary-General to present a strategic review of MINURSO's mandate in six months' time, “taking into account the outcome of the negotiations.” This provision underscores the urgency of moving from managing the stalemate to implementing a definitive solution.
Fifty years have passed since the Green March.
It is time to leave behind unrealistic positions that only perpetuate the suffering of the Sahrawi people. The Polisario Front must understand that its obstructionism only condemns new generations to exile. Algeria, which abstained from the vote, must assume its historical responsibility and stop exploiting the Sahrawi cause for its own geopolitical interests, and in doing so, accept to be part of future negotiations.
A special link with the Canary Islands
From the Canary Islands, which have unique historical, geographical, and human ties with the Sahara, we welcome this resolution with particular emotion. The islands are located just a few hundred kilometers from the Saharan coastline, with regular direct flights to Laayoune and Dakhla. The definitive stabilization of the conflict through the implementation of Moroccan autonomy will open up new opportunities for cooperation, development, and shared prosperity.
We hope that Spain will consolidate its 2022 position by opening a consulate in Laayoune or Dakhla in the medium term, thus strengthening the historical link between our country and the Sahara.
Conclusion
The resolution of October 31, 2025, marks the beginning of a new era. The international community has spoken clearly: the Moroccan autonomy proposal is the only viable basis for a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable solution.
The Canary Islands-Sahrawi Forum, which has consistently defended this realistic approach since 2007, renews its commitment to continue working for family reunification and a solution that will put a definitive end to the conflict.
October 31, 2025, will be remembered as the day when the international community began to chart the definitive path toward resolving the Sahara issue.