Morocco is shifting its diplomatic efforts to the UN General Assembly after a Russian veto at the Security Council on October 30. The goal is to remove Western Sahara from the list of non-self-governing territories, where it has been listed since 1963. The UN does not recognize Morocco as the administering power of the territory, which complicates Rabat's efforts to legitimize its control.
Morocco's strategy involves converting bilateral support for its autonomy plan into a multilateral majority that can support a resolution to remove Western Sahara from the list. This will require a significant diplomatic effort, targeting countries in Africa, the Caribbean, Asia, and the Pacific, as well as European and American partners. Morocco will prioritize securing support from the United States, the AIPAC lobby, Israel, and France.
The process of removing Western Sahara from the list involves several steps. The Committee of 24 (C-24), a subsidiary body of the General Assembly, will examine the situation and make recommendations. The Fourth Committee will then review the report and transmit its recommendations to the plenary General Assembly, which has the final say on whether to maintain or remove a territory from the list.
A favorable majority in the C-24 or the Fourth Committee is not enough to guarantee removal from the list. The General Assembly's decision will be crucial, and Morocco's efforts will focus on building a majority of votes. However, several countries support the Moroccan autonomy plan as a basis for negotiation while maintaining their commitment to the right to self-determination and the decolonization process.
There are significant obstacles to Morocco's efforts, including the requirement for a free and authentic expression of the will of the people of Western Sahara. The Moroccan autonomy plan has not been subject to a consultation that would establish this will. Additionally, the UN resolutions 1514 (XV) and 1541 (XV) enshrine the right to self-determination and outline the modalities for accession to full autonomy.
Morocco's actions have been contradicted by its own votes at the UN. On October 15, 2026, Morocco voted in favor of resolution A/C.4/81/L.4, which reaffirms the right to self-determination and requests the C-24 to continue examining Western Sahara. This resolution was adopted by 152 votes against two, with seven abstentions.
The Algerian government, the Polisario Front, and other countries committed to the decolonization process will likely counter Morocco's efforts. They will rely on the continuity of UN resolutions, the lack of consultation with the Sahrawi people, and the competencies of the General Assembly. The potential reform of the C-24's mandate, advocated by the United States, may also impact Morocco's strategy.
Key points
- Morocco seeks to remove Western Sahara from the UN list of non-self-governing territories.
- The process involves a significant diplomatic effort and overcoming several obstacles, including the requirement for a free and authentic expression of the will of the people of Western Sahara.
- The outcome is uncertain, with counter-mobilization efforts by Algeria, the Polisario Front, and other countries committed to decolonization.
