US Proposes End to UN Mission in Western Sahara
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The United States has proposed a draft resolution to the UN Security Council to end the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) as a peacekeeping operation by April 30, 2027. The proposal suggests transitioning the mission to a political one starting May 1, 2027, for a duration of six months. This shift would coincide with the adoption of Morocco's expanded autonomy proposal as the sole basis for negotiations, asserting that autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the only viable solution to the conflict.
The draft resolution, dated October 20, 2023, recommends renaming the mission from MINURSO to the UN Mission in Western Sahara (MINUSO). It also calls for the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, to begin reducing the mission's personnel by at least 50% by January 31, 2027, and to close and merge some team sites.
The draft resolution requests that Guterres submit detailed proposals to the Security Council by December 15, 2023, regarding the structure, staffing, and resources needed for the new political mission. This includes reporting procedures, mine-related actions, and supporting the political process. The document emphasizes maintaining continuity in leadership and institutional knowledge during the transitional phase.
The draft resolution states that Morocco's expanded autonomy proposal is the sole basis for political negotiations. It urges all parties to engage constructively with the entities facilitating the political process and to actively participate in negotiations based on Morocco's proposal. The document reiterates that 'genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the only possible solution' to the Western Sahara conflict, a phrase repeated in the draft's preamble and ninth operative paragraph.
The draft resolution expresses full support for the UN Secretary-General, his Personal Envoy Staffan de Mistura, and the United States in facilitating negotiations. It highlights the continued leadership role of the UN envoy in the political process. The draft mentions three rounds of direct negotiations held in Washington and Madrid, involving Morocco, the Polisario Front, Algeria, and Mauritania. It welcomes Morocco's expanded autonomy proposal, noting that it formed the basis for discussions during these rounds. The draft also acknowledges US President Donald Trump's efforts to resolve the conflict, noting his call for parties to engage in negotiations without delay.
Context: The Western Sahara conflict has been ongoing since 1975, with Morocco controlling most of the territory and the Polisario Front advocating for independence. The UN has been involved in peacekeeping and mediation efforts for decades, with MINURSO established in 1991. The US proposal, if adopted, would mark a significant shift in the international approach to resolving the conflict, emphasizing a political solution based on Morocco's autonomy plan.
