UNSC Endorses Morocco's Western Sahara Autonomy

The United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 2797 endorsing Morocco’s Autonomy Initiative for Western Sahara, a development Rabat and its supporters called a major diplomatic victory. The resolution renews the MINURSO peacekeeping mandate for one year and requests a strategic review of the mission’s future. King Mohammed VI described the vote as a historic turning point and said he would submit an enhanced autonomy proposal to the UN, citing growing international backing. The Polisario Front rejected negotiating on a text that endorses autonomy. Support on the ground was reinforced by visits and statements from partners such as Eswatini and an Italian parliamentary group, and the decision drew broad domestic praise from officials and public figures.