Chile and El Salvador have reaffirmed their positions on the Western Sahara dispute before the United Nations General Assembly's Fourth Committee in New York. Both countries expressed support for Morocco's autonomy plan, with Chile reiterating its support for Morocco's sovereignty over its entire territory, including the Sahara region. This move is seen as a significant development in the decades-old dispute over Western Sahara.
The Chilean representative told the Fourth Committee that Chile considers the autonomy proposal Morocco presented in 2007 a "just, lasting and mutually accepted" political solution, in line with relevant UN Security Council resolutions. This position was formalized in a joint statement issued following a meeting between Chilean Foreign Minister Francisco Pérez Mackenna and Morocco's Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita in New York on September 21.
The joint statement also included Chile's commitment to promote economic and trade cooperation opportunities in Morocco's Sahara region. Furthermore, Chile and Morocco signed terms of reference to launch negotiations toward a free trade agreement between the two countries. This development is significant, as Chile and Morocco are marking 65 years of diplomatic relations in 2026.
El Salvador also reaffirmed its support for Morocco's efforts to reach a "realistic, political, pragmatic and lasting solution" to the regional dispute over the Sahara. The Salvadoran diplomat described Morocco's autonomy initiative as "a fundamental element" in efforts to resolve the dispute. El Salvador welcomed the work of the UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy for the Sahara in facilitating the political process under UN auspices.
The positions from Chile and El Salvador come as the UN continues its efforts to advance a political settlement of the decades-old dispute. The UN Security Council's Resolution 2797, adopted in October 2025, called on the parties to engage in negotiations without preconditions, using Morocco's autonomy proposal as a basis for discussions aimed at reaching a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution.
Morocco's autonomy plan has been a cornerstone of the country's position on the Western Sahara dispute. The plan, presented in 2007, proposes a degree of autonomy for the Sahara region while maintaining Morocco's sovereignty over the territory. The plan has been endorsed by several countries, including Chile and El Salvador, as a viable solution to the dispute.
The international community continues to support efforts to resolve the Western Sahara dispute through negotiations. The UN's role in facilitating a political settlement remains crucial, with the organization's Personal Envoy for the Sahara working to bring the parties together. The support of countries like Chile and El Salvador for Morocco's autonomy plan is seen as a positive development in the peace process.
Key points
- Chile and El Salvador have expressed support for Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara at the UN General Assembly's Fourth Committee.
- The support of Chile and El Salvador for Morocco's autonomy plan is seen as a positive development in the peace process.
- The UN continues to play a crucial role in facilitating a political settlement to the decades-old dispute over Western Sahara.
