European Body Urges UN Security Council to Halt US Proposal on Western Sahara

BRUSSELS — The European Association for Democracy and International Human Rights Law has formally appealed to the United Nations Security Council, urging members to adhere to international law and uphold the right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination in an upcoming vote. The plea, sent in late October, expresses deep concern over certain provisions in a pending US-drafted resolution on Western Sahara, scheduled for a vote at the end of the month.

The European body's letter highlights potential negative repercussions on the UN-led peace process and the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination. The resolution, proposed by the United States, is set to be voted on by the Security Council on October 31, 2026.

The European Association for Democracy and International Human Rights Law has requested that the Security Council members consider the legal and institutional implications of the US proposal. The letter emphasizes the importance of maintaining the integrity of the UN peace process and ensuring that the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination is respected.

The European body's intervention comes as the UN Security Council prepares to vote on the US-drafted resolution, which has sparked debate among member states and international observers. The resolution, if adopted, could significantly impact the ongoing peace process in Western Sahara, a territory disputed between Morocco and the Polisario Front, which advocates for an independent Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.

The European Association for Democracy and International Human Rights Law's appeal underscores the sensitivity of the Western Sahara issue and the need for a balanced and legally sound approach to resolving the conflict. The letter calls on the Security Council to carefully consider the potential consequences of the US proposal and to act in accordance with international law and the principles of self-determination.