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The UN Security Council has passed a American-supported measure that endorses Moroccan claim regarding the disputed territory, notwithstanding fierce opposition from neighboring Algeria.

Split Decision Bolsters Moroccan Position

While Friday's decision was split, the resolution constitutes the strongest support to date for Morocco's plan to maintain sovereignty over the territory, which additionally has support from the majority of EU members and a growing number of African allies.

Measure Framework and Important Components

The document describes Moroccan proposal as a basis for negotiation. Similar to earlier resolutions, the text makes no mention of a referendum on self-determination that contains independence as an option, which constitutes the solution long supported by the pro-independence Polisario Front and its supporters.

Genuine autonomy under Morocco's sovereignty could represent a very practical resolution.

Historical Information

Western Sahara is a phosphate-rich stretch of coastline arid land the area of a US state which was under Spain's control until 1975. It is asserted by both Morocco and the Polisario movement, which operates from refugee camps in southwestern neighboring Algeria and claims to speak for the indigenous people native to the disputed territory.

Decision Results and Global Reactions

The US, which proposed the resolution, led eleven nations in deciding in support, while three countries – multiple nations – abstained. The neighboring country, the movement's main supporter, did not participate.

The US ambassador, the US representative to the UN, said the decision had been "historic" and would "build on the momentum for a long, long overdue peace in Western Sahara".

Amar Bendjama, the Algeria's ambassador to the UN, said that while the measure was an improvement on previous iterations, it "contains a number of deficiencies".

Peacekeeping Operation and Upcoming Assessment

The resolution also extends the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara for another year, as has been done for over thirty years. Prior extensions, though, have not contained a reference to Morocco and its supporters' favored outcome.

The measure calls on all sides participating to "seize this unprecedented opportunity for a lasting peace." Based on progress, it requests the UN leader to assess the peacekeeping mission's authority within six months.

Regional Consequences and Current Situation

The shift could unsettle a protracted process that for many years has eluded resolution, desdespite a United Nations security mission that was designed to be temporary. Protests have ensued in indigenous refugee camps in Algeria this recent period, where residents have vowed not to abandon their struggle for self-determination.

The Moroccan government administers almost all of Western Sahara, excluding a narrow area called the "liberated area" that lies to the east of a Moroccan-built sand wall.

Past Context and Current Developments

A 1991-era ceasefire was meant to pave the way for a referendum on self-determination, but disagreements over participation criteria blocked it from taking place.

Over the years, Morocco has transformed the disputed region, building a deepwater port and a long highway. State support keep food and energy prices affordable, and the population has grown significantly as Moroccan citizens settle in urban areas such as major settlements.

Polisario ended the truce in recent years after confrontations near a road Morocco was constructing to neighboring Mauritania.

The group has subsequently frequently reported security activity, while Morocco has primarily denied active fighting. The UN calls it "low-level hostilities".

International Relations and Coming Possibilities

In response to the draft resolution, Polisario said that it would not join any process intending "to validate Moroccan illegal military occupation," adding peace "cannot happen by rewarding territorial claims".

The situation constitutes the central issue in regional diplomacy. Morocco views support for its proposal as a benchmark for how it assesses its international partners.

Recently, the UN representative suggested partitioning Western Sahara, a proposal no party agreed to. He urged Morocco to clarify what autonomy would involve and cautioned that a absence of progress might question the UN's role and "if there remains opportunity and willingness for us to remain useful."

The push to review the United Nations Mission comes as the US slashes funding for UN programmes and organizations, including peacekeeping.