The US draft resolution on the Sahara supports the Moroccan autonomy plan as the only solution

The plan for autonomy in the Sahara under Moroccan sovereignty presented by King Mohammed VI to the United Nations in 2007 is considered the only serious, credible, and realistic basis for achieving a definitive political solution to a conflict that has lasted 50 years in the draft resolution that the United States has drafted and transmitted to the other four permanent members of the UN Security Council for analysis, discussion, and subsequent approval in the coming days.

The text notes the willingness shown by the permanent members of the Council to facilitate progress towards a solution within the framework of negotiations between the parties, based solely on the Moroccan proposal for autonomy for the Sahara.

The resolution invites all parties involved: Morocco, the Polisario Front, Algeria, and Mauritania to resume negotiations without preconditions, based exclusively on the Moroccan proposal for autonomy. It expresses US support for the Secretary-General and his personal envoy and calls for the rapid start of new negotiations to reach a solution as soon as possible.

The draft resolution implicitly rules out any reference to a referendum on self-determination and channels the political process towards autonomy for the Sahara under Moroccan sovereignty. It also proposes renewing MINURSO's mandate for only three more months, until January 2026, and asks the Secretary-General for a final assessment on the transformation or termination of the mission.

The text of the draft resolution includes references to the steps taken and decisions made by President Donald Trump in favor of autonomy as a political solution and highlights the majority international support achieved by the Moroccan proposal.

In recent days, the Fourth Committee on the Sahara of the United Nations has been held with the participation of experts from all countries, where autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty has been highlighted as the only serious, credible, and realistic solution in the context of an international scene where the peace agreement and ceasefire in Gaza have a significant influence.

The full text of the draft resolution prepared by the United States and transmitted to the other permanent members of the UN Security Council for analysis is as follows:

The Security Council,

PP1- Recalling and reaffirming all its previous resolutions on Western Sahara;

PP2- Expressing its full support for the Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy, Staffan de Mistura, in their efforts to advance the political process, including through consultations between the Personal Envoy and Morocco, the Frente POLISARIO, Algeria, and Mauritania to build on the progress achieved;

PP3- Reaffirming its commitment to assist the parties to achieve a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable political solution consistent with the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations, including the principle of self-determination, and noting the role and responsibilities of the parties in this respect; underscoring the urgency of the parties realizing such a solution to this dispute that has lasted 50 years; and recognizing the important role played by MINURSO in supporting the Personal Envoy to achieve a mutually acceptable political solution; PP4- Taking note in this context of the support expressed by Member States for Morocco’s serious, credible, and realistic Autonomy Proposal, presented on 11 April 2007 to the Secretary-General, as the most credible basis for a just and lasting solution to the dispute; affirming that genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the most feasible solution; welcoming President Trump’s leadership on conflict resolution in Western Sahara and taking note of his call for the parties to engage in discussions without delay using Morocco’s Autonomy Proposal as the only framework to negotiate a mutually acceptable solution; and further welcoming the commitment of Council members to facilitate progress;

PP5- Welcoming the initiative of the Personal Envoy to convene the parties to build on this momentum and seize this unprecedented opportunity for a lasting peace; urging full support for and good faith engagement in the negotiations; and expressing appreciation to the United States for its readiness to host negotiations in furtherance of the Personal Envoy’s mission to achieve a long-overdue solution for Western Sahara and the region;

Having considered the report of the Secretary-General of xx October 2025 (S/2025/xxx),

1. Decides to extend the mandate of MINURSO until 31 January 2026;

2. Expresses its full support for the Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy in facilitating negotiations based on Morocco’s serious, credible, and realistic Autonomy Proposal with a view to achieving a just and lasting resolution to the dispute;                               3. Calls upon the parties to engage in these discussions without delay or preconditions on the basis of Morocco’s Autonomy Proposal with a view to achieving – prior to the expiration of MINURSO’s mandate – a final political and mutually acceptable solution, that provides for a genuine autonomy within the Moroccan state, as the most feasible solution, while providing for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara;

4. Invites Member States to lend appropriate assistance and support to these negotiations and to the Personal Envoy’s efforts;

5. Requests the Secretary-General to brief the Security Council on a regular basis, and at any time he deems appropriate during the mandate period, to include within six weeks of this mandate’s renewal and again prior to its expiration, and further requests the Secretary-General, prior to the expiration of this mandate, to provide his recommendations for the transformation or termination of MINURSO based on the outcome of the negotiations;

6. Decides to remain seized of the matter.