HIBAPRESS
International actors are anticipating in the coming weeks the Security Council session scheduled for the end of October, which will bring the Moroccan Sahara file back to the table for discussion.
Introducing amendments to the "MINURSO" mission. This meeting is of particular importance due to the approaching date of the vote on renewing the mandate of the United Nations mission "MINURSO" or introducing fundamental amendments to its tasks, in light of rising indicators suggesting the possibility of significant transformations in this file. In this context, the "Washington Institute" issued a recent report (Wednesday) in which it indicated that the "MINURSO" mission may witness qualitative transformations, most notably its transition from merely monitoring the ceasefire to performing a political role to support the Moroccan autonomy initiative. The report explained that the vote scheduled for October 31st comes in a sensitive context characterized by UN pressure to reduce peacekeeping budgets, rapid developments in the file, in addition to its coinciding with the fiftieth anniversary of the Green March, which brought the Sahara issue back to the forefront of international attention. The center indicated that the mission, which was established in 1991 for the purpose of "organizing a referendum on self-determination," has lost its original function for about two decades due to the disagreement over the voting regulations, which made its tasks limited to monitoring the ceasefire, a role that the report described as "necessary", especially after the renewed tensions since 2020. However, the continued annual renewal of the mission without review raises increasing criticism, as some parties consider it a symbol of diplomatic stagnation and its tasks unjustified. Algeria in a position of weakness. The report also highlighted that the United States' recognition of the Moroccan Sahara in 2020 constituted a turning point in the dynamics of the conflict, and that a number of Western powers are now closer to the Rabat proposal for autonomy. The report cited the statements of French President Emmanuel Macron in 2024, in which he confirmed that the future of the Sahara is under Moroccan sovereignty, in addition to the British position, which considered autonomy "the most serious and credible option", as well as the renewal of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in 2025 of his country's support for Morocco's sovereignty during his meeting with his counterpart Nasser Bourita in Washington. On the other hand, the report pointed out that "MINURSO" is facing financial difficulties due to American decisions to reduce the funding allocated to peacekeeping missions, which has affected its operational capabilities. It considered that Washington may push for deep reforms within the mission, or even threaten to use the veto against renewing its mandate unless its demands are met. It affirmed that Morocco, despite these transformations, has not demanded the termination of the mission's mission, but rather prefers to gradually transform it into a political tool that supports the activation of the autonomy project. As for Algeria, which continues its support for the Polisario Front and the "self-determination" rhetoric, it is facing a difficult international context. Also, the decline in international support for its position, especially in light of Russia's neutrality and abstention from voting, puts it in a position of weakness that may push it to review its policy.
