Western Sahara: Rabat accelerates the autonomy plan, the next six months are crucial

Friday 29th November 2024 02:54 PM

Morocco is taking an increasingly assertive approach to managing Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony and a central issue of its foreign policy. While the self-proclaimed Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) Claiming independence in the name of the right to self-determination, Rabat proposes an autonomy that recognizes the territories – already largely under its control – as an integral part of the Moroccan State. Italy, due to its strong dependence on Algerian gas, adopts a more cautious position regarding the Moroccan “Autonomy Plan”. Among the ongoing initiatives to strengthen bilateral ties, the visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs stands out, Antonio Tajaniin Morocco, although there are no official dates yet. Waiting for the arrival of Donald Trump In the White House, which during its first term recognized Moroccan sovereignty over the former Spanish colony, greater clarity from Rabat on the specific contents of the 35-point autonomy plan could further foster international dialogue and consensus.

The idea of the plan launched by about Mohamed VI is to guarantee broad autonomy to the region, while preserving Moroccan sovereignty and national unity. The plan foresees that the Sahrawis will autonomously manage their affairs through legislative, executive and judicial bodies, with exclusive powers in sectors such as the economy, culture, the environment and social services. Instead, the sovereignty of the State would remain linked to the defense, foreign policy and constitutional powers of the king. The plan – supported by 115 UN member countries, including 20 European Union states, most recently Hungary – includes in point 8 a “referendum of affected populations”, offers a general amnesty and the reintegration of exiles, with the aim of a definitive political solution through negotiations.

During the last briefing to the United Nations Security Council on October 16, Staffan de Misturapersonal envoy of the UN secretary general for Western Sahara, called on Morocco to provide concrete details on the content of its 2007 Autonomy Plan “If the concept of autonomy has sparked interest and the three-page Moroccan plan appears to be gaining traction bilaterally, i. I think this also creates an expectation, if not a right, to better understand what this plan entails,” de Mistura said. The former Italian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs stressed that this clarity is necessary not only for the people involved, but also for the Security Council and the countries that support the plan.

De Mistura stressed that the Autonomy Plan should specify how to guarantee a credible and dignified form of self-determination for the people of Western Sahara. “It is time to explore the paths that Morocco concretely imagines. For this reason, it is essential that Rabat provides the details of its vision,” said the Italian-Swedish politician and diplomat, a former classmate of Mario Draghi at the Liceo Massimiliano Massimo in Rome. De Mistura also indicated that the Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, during a meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, recognized the urgency of explaining and expanding the 2007 plan.

In his briefing, de Mistura also addressed other relevant aspects, including the regional impact of the conflict and the deterioration of humanitarian conditions in the Tindouf refugee camps, underlining the importance of avoiding further escalation between the Polisario Front and Morocco. The UN representative reiterated the urgency of reaching a just, lasting and mutually accepted solution that provides self-determination to the Sahrawi people. Finally, de Mistura warned that the next six months will be crucial in determining the future of the United Nations in managing the crisis. “If there is no significant progress by April 2025, it will be necessary to reconsider the role of the United Nations in facilitating the political process,” he concluded.