Clemens Hach, Director for the Middle East and North Africa at Germany’s Federal Foreign Office, has reiterated Berlin’s position in support of Morocco’s Autonomy Plan. The plan is seen as a serious and credible basis for ending the dispute over Western Sahara. This stance aligns with a growing international momentum, reinforced by UN Resolution 2797 in October 2025.
The UN Security Council is set to meet and vote on a new resolution, with a draft already providing new impetus to the diplomatic momentum in support of the Moroccan autonomy initiative. The draft resolution supports the autonomy plan and urges parties to negotiate seriously and in good faith to reach a mutually agreed solution. Germany's stance reflects its commitment to boosting bilateral ties with Morocco.
Over 130 countries have endorsed the Moroccan autonomy initiative as the most feasible path to a lasting political resolution of the Sahara dispute. This growing international support is seen as a significant development in the ongoing diplomatic efforts. The new resolution is expected to reinforce this position, emphasizing the need for parties to engage in talks and negotiations.
The draft resolution removes references to a referendum, including from the name and mandate of the UN peacekeeping operation in Western Sahara, MINURSO. The new version of the draft resolution continues to support the renaming of MINURSO to MINUSO, which presents a blow to Algeria’s outdated narratives on the Western Sahara question.
Berlin’s support for Rabat’s territorial integrity reflects Germany and Morocco’s repeated pledges to boost bilateral ties after a short-lived diplomatic rift in 2021. Morocco recalled its ambassador from Germany in May 2021 due to what it perceived as "exacerbated hostile acts" against Moroccan interests. Germany subsequently announced its decision to mend ties with Morocco.
Since then, Germany has consistently reiterated its support for Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as a good basis to tackle the Sahara crisis. The plan is seen as a reliable path to a lasting political resolution, and Germany's stance is in line with the international community's growing belief in the prospect of progress in resolving the dispute.
The ongoing diplomatic efforts aim to bring parties to the dispute, including Algeria’s regime, to engage in talks and negotiations as a main party. The new resolution is expected to reinforce the position that the autonomy plan is a credible solution, and that all parties must work together to reach a mutually agreed solution.
Key points
- Germany reaffirms support for Morocco's Autonomy Plan as a credible solution to the Western Sahara dispute.
- Over 130 countries endorse the Moroccan autonomy initiative as the most feasible path to a lasting political resolution.
- The UN Security Council is set to vote on a new resolution that supports the autonomy plan and urges parties to negotiate seriously.
