The UN Security Council is facing a significant challenge as it prepares to discuss the Western Sahara issue at the end of October. The council's previous approach, led by the United States, has been deemed a failure. The US had attempted to push for autonomy, which was met with resistance from the Polisario Front. This approach has been criticized for being biased towards Morocco, which claims sovereignty over the region.
The Security Council's decision 2797, adopted in October 2025, has been widely seen as flawed. The resolution left the implementation in the hands of the United States, which has a history of biased stance on the issue. The US had attempted to impose its own solution, which included autonomy, but this approach has been rejected by the Polisario Front. The council's failure to intervene and correct the US approach has been seen as a significant mistake.
The UN has found itself in a difficult position, caught between its commitment to international law and the US approach. The organization's Secretary-General has acknowledged that the autonomy proposal is not a viable solution. The Special Envoy, Staffan de Mistura, has presented a report to the Security Council, highlighting the need for a new approach. He emphasized that the right to self-determination cannot be ignored and that negotiations led by the US have failed.
De Mistura's report outlined three conditions for any autonomy proposal: it must be genuine, subject to a real self-determination process, and have strong international guarantees. However, these conditions are seen as unlikely to be met, given Morocco's stance and the Polisario Front's rejection of autonomy. The report has been seen as a significant shift in the UN's approach, acknowledging the failure of the US-led negotiations.
The Security Council's dilemma is further complicated by the fact that previous resolutions, adopted unanimously, have been ignored or abandoned. Resolutions 621, 658, and 690, all of which called for a referendum or implementation of the UN plan, have been largely forgotten. The council's inability to enforce its decisions has raised concerns about its credibility.
The upcoming discussion on Western Sahara is expected to be contentious, with many questioning the possibility of a new solution. Some have suggested that a "solution above the table" may be imposed, but others argue that this is unlikely. The shrinking room for maneuver has led to concerns that any decision that ignores the Sahrawi people's interests will be met with resistance.
The Western Sahara issue remains unresolved, with the Security Council facing a difficult decision. The council's approach will have significant implications for the region and the Sahrawi people. A failure to address the issue effectively may lead to further instability and undermine the credibility of the UN.
Key points
- The UN Security Council faces a significant challenge in addressing the Western Sahara issue.
- Previous approaches, led by the US, have failed to produce a viable solution.
- The council's decision will have significant implications for the region and the Sahrawi people.
