In a landmark decision, the United Nations Security Council has officially endorsed Morocco’s sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara region. The resolution, passed on Friday, describes genuine autonomy under Moroccan rule as the ‘most feasible solution’ to the decades-long conflict. This move has been celebrated by Morocco, which has declared October 31 as a national holiday, Unity Day, to commemorate the occasion and honor the nation’s ‘territorial integrity and national unity.’ The US, a key sponsor of the resolution, led 11 countries in voting in favor, while Russia, China, and Pakistan abstained, and Algeria opposed the measure. The resolution also extended the mandate of the UN peacekeeping force, MINURSO, for another year. Western Sahara, a phosphate-rich coastal desert, has been a contentious territory since Spain relinquished control in 1975. Morocco annexed the region, but the Polisario Front, backed by Algeria, has long fought for the independence of the Sahrawi people. Despite various ceasefires in the 1990s, the underlying dispute remains unresolved. The African Union recognizes Western Sahara’s independence, but several nations, including the US, UK, and major European powers, have recently supported Morocco’s stance. A UN-brokered referendum to determine the region’s future has been repeatedly delayed due to disagreements over voter eligibility.
Morocco declares public holiday to mark UN approval of its Western Sahara plan
