Trump and the Sahara
The Fourth Committee on the Sahara of the UN, with the participation of experts from numerous countries, has overwhelmingly highlighted autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty as the only serious, credible, and realistic solution in an international scene where the peace agreement and ceasefire in Gaza have a notable influence
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 drawn up 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 self-determination referendum 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 draft resolution includes references to the steps taken and decisions made by Donald Trump in favor of autonomy as a political solution in the Sahara and highlights the majority international support achieved by the Moroccan proposal.
The UN Fourth Committee on the Sahara, with the participation of experts from numerous countries, has overwhelmingly highlighted autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty as the only serious, credible, and realistic solution in an international scene where the peace agreement and ceasefire in Gaza have a significant influence.
The report by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres underscores the need for greater commitment from Algeria to reach a political solution and highlights Mohamed VI's constant offer to Algeria to restore relations.
This initiative has been taken up by the Trump administration, according to Steve Witkoff, special envoy for the Middle East, who gave a 60-day deadline to achieve it.
The strengthening of relations between Rabat and Moscow following the agreements signed a week ago represents a favorable framework for Russia to also support the Moroccan proposal for autonomy for the Sahara in the imminent UN Security Council resolution.