Western Sahara Autonomy Proposal

Last updated

The Western Sahara Autonomy Proposal is an initiative proposed by Morocco in 2006 as a possible solution to the Western Sahara conflict. In 2006, the Moroccan Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs (CORCAS) proposed a plan [1] for the autonomy of Western Sahara and made visits to a number of countries to explain the proposal. The Spanish approach to regional autonomy has been named as a possible model for Western Saharan autonomy, mentioning specifically the cases of the Canary Islands, the Basque Country, Andalusia, or Catalonia. The plan was presented to the UN Security Council in April 2007 [2] and received the backing of the United States and France. [3] This initiative constituted the main ground for the Moroccan proposal at the Manhasset negotiations.

Contents

The proposal was following the two failed proposals of the Baker Plan, which insisted on an independence referendum for Western Sahara after five years of autonomy; the plan was rejected by Morocco. A proposal was also published by Polisario to the UN on 10 April 2007, a day before the Moroccan proposal. The UN Security Council unanimously voted for Resolution 1754 on 30 April 2007 calling for talks of both parties, appreciating the proposal of Morocco and taking note of Polisario's proposal. Based on the proposal, there were four UN-sponsored peace talks between delegations of Polisario and Morocco on 18–19 June 2007, 10–11 August 2007, 7–9 January 2008, and 18–19 March 2008, all of which were held in Manhasset, New York.

Background

Western Sahara was a Spanish colony until 1975. [4] A war erupted between those countries and the Sahrawi national liberation movement, the Polisario Front, which proclaimed the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) with a government in exile in Tindouf, Algeria. Mauritania withdrew in 1979, and Morocco eventually secured control of most of the territory, including all the major cities and natural resources. [5] Polisario was formed in 1973 to fight for the rights of the Sahrawi people. Polisario attacked Moroccan positions many times and have retaliated. Continued war was waged between Polisario and Morocco over prominence in the region, with Polisario being backed by Algeria and Morocco being backed by the United States, France, and Saudi Arabia. [6]

Interim wars

Morocco started building a massive wall to reduce the attacks and military activity. During November to December 1987, a United Nations peace mission arrived to assess the military and political impact of the wall. They sought a face-to-face meeting with Polisario and Morocco to arrive at a ceasefire and initiate proceedings for a referendum. They had different meetings with Morocco, Algeria and Polisario and proposed a resolution which was passed unopposed. During the time, Algeria, which had been a long-time ally of Polisario, held secret meetings with Morocco at the foreign ministry level. By May 1988, both countries announced that diplomatic relations between the countries would be restored. During July 1988, Moroccan King Hassan expressed his support for a referendum, but declined to name Western Sahara an independent state, but a special administrative region. He also denied meeting with Polisario. In spite of the UN's continued effort, the denial introduced criticism of Morocco's positions by Polisario. King Hassan agreed to meet representatives from SADR. During 1989, Algeria claimed that it would continue to support SADR amidst growing concern of Algeria breaking links with SADR. King Hassan's elongated delay frustrated SADR and they started an attack. [7] During the first week of October 1989, Polisario started attacks on Moroccan positions in Guelta-Zemmour, which forced Moroccan troops 25 kilometers inside the defensive wall. The group also claimed that they secured the 1st Light Security Group of the 4th and 5th Rapid Intervention Force of Morocco. They also attacked Moroccan positions in the North towards Hauza on October 11. [7] Following the attacks King Hassan called off the second meeting with SADR representatives. [8]

Baker Plan

The fighting continued till 1 September 1991 when a UN mission brokered peace a ceasefire in the region. There have been various proposals by both the parties in the United Nations. James Baker, an American diplomat in the region worked out a couple of settlement plans, called Baker Plan after 1997. In the first plan, he proposed autonomy to the region with foreign affairs and defense managed by Morocco. The plan was rejected by Polisario, indicating that any proposal without independence could not be accepted. They also argued that the count of natives should be based on the census of 1975 and not based on migrants from Morocco in the interim period. [9] The second proposal called for a referendum after five years of autonomy. The plan was accepted by Morocco initially, but later rejected quoting that any plan with proposal of independence could not be accepted. [10] The plan was rejected by Morocco and Baker left the position in 2004. [11]

Proposal

Moroccan-backed advisory council on Western Sahara (CORCAS) submitted a proposal to the United Nations in April 2006 that would grant autonomy to the people of Western Sahara. As per the plan, the Sahawaris would run their government under Moroccan sovereignty. It also indicated that Morocco will control defense and foreign affairs. The Moroccan authorities indicated that the failure of the proposal would increase Islamic fundamental ideas and terrorism in the region around the Sahel. Hamid Chabar, the Moroccan representative of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara quoted that "There are a lot of young people in the Sahel who are leaning towards radical Islam, with groups such as the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat gaining ground". The claims were denied by Polisario which stated that it never supported terrorism. The autonomy proposal was rejected by the front in February 2004 soon as it was proposed, while Morocco sought the backing of the United States to take it forward. [11] A proposal was also published by Polisario to the UN on 10 April 2007, a day before the Moroccan proposal. The UN Security unanimously voted for Resolution 1754 on 30 April 2007, calling for talks of both parties, appreciating the proposal of Morocco and taking note of Polisario's proposal. Based on the proposal, there were four UN-sponsored peace talks between the delegation of Polisario and Morocco 18–19 June 2007, 10–11 August 2007, 7–9 January 2008, and 7–9 January 2008, all of which were held in New York City. [12]

In a 2007 letter to President George W. Bush, 173 members of the US Congress endorsed the plan. [13] In a letter to President Obama in 2009, 233 US congressmen endorsed the plan. [14] In 2010, a letter to Secretary of State Clinton backing the Moroccan plan for autonomy, was signed by 54 Senators. [15]

2022

On 19 March 2022, the Spanish and Moroccan press suggested the president of the Spanish Government had provisionally accepted this proposal, although parliamentary ratification was not assured. [16]

International support

RankCountryDateRemarksRef.
1Flag of the United States.svg  United States 2020-12-10On 10 December 2020, U.S. President Donald Trump proclaimed that the United States recognized Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara. [17]
3Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 2022-03-18“Spain considers the Moroccan autonomy initiative presented in 2007, as the most serious, realistic, and credible basis for resolving the dispute." Sanchez further described the extensive Moroccan efforts to work within the UN's framework to find a peaceful solution to the decades-old conflict. [18]
4Flag of France.svg  France 2022-03-22France reiterated, Monday, its support to the Moroccan autonomy plan as a "serious and credible basis for discussions" for the resolution of the dispute over the Moroccan Sahara. [19] [20]
5Flag of Guatemala.svg  Guatemala 2022-09-23“Guatemala reiterated its clear position on the regional dispute over the Moroccan Sahara, considering that autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the solution to this dispute and announces the decision to open a consulate in the city of Dakhla to take advantage of its economic potential and its openness to the rest of the African continent,” said Guatemalan Foreign Minister Mario Bucaro Flores. [21]
6Flag of Somalia.svg  Somalia 2022-09-23Foreign Minister Mahmoud Abdi Hassan’s call for cooperation follows years of Somali continuous support for Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara which was translated on multiple occasions into concrete actions such as opening a consulate in Dakhla. [22]
7Flag of Cape Verde.svg  Cape Verde 2023-05-09The Republic of Cabo Verde has reaffirmed its steadfast support to Morocco's territorial integrity and the Moroccan autonomy plan offering a realistic solution to the Sahara regional conflict. [23]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western Sahara</span> Disputed territory in North-western Africa

Western Sahara is a disputed territory in North-western Africa. It has a surface area of 272,000 square kilometres (105,000 sq mi). Approximately 30% of the territory is controlled by the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR); the remaining 70% is occupied and administered by neighboring Morocco. It is the most sparsely populated country in Africa and the second most sparsely populated country in the world, mainly consisting of desert flatlands. The population is estimated at 618,600. Nearly 40% of that population lives in Morocco-controlled Laayoune, the largest city of Western Sahara.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Politics of Western Sahara</span>

The politics of Western Sahara take place in a framework of an area claimed by both the partially recognized Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic and the Kingdom of Morocco.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Political status of Western Sahara</span>

Western Sahara, formerly the Spanish colony of Spanish Sahara, is a disputed territory claimed by both the Kingdom of Morocco and the Popular Front for the Liberation of the Saguia el Hamra and Rio de Oro, which is an independence movement based in Tifariti and Bir Lehlou. The Annexation of Western Sahara by Morocco took place in two stages, in 1976 and 1979, and is considered illegal under international law.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Polisario Front</span> Military and political organisation in Western Sahara

The Polisario Front, Frente Polisario, Frelisario or simply Polisario, is a Sahrawi nationalist liberation movement seeking to establish a Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic for the Sahrawi people through the means of self-determination and armed resistance in the disputed territory of Western Sahara.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara</span> United Nations peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara

The United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara is the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara, established in 1991 under United Nations Security Council Resolution 690 as part of the Settlement Plan, which had paved way for a cease-fire in the conflict between Morocco and the Polisario Front over the contested territory of Western Sahara.

The Houston Agreement was the result of negotiations between the Polisario Front and Morocco on the organization of a referendum, which would constitute an expression of self-determination for the people of Western Sahara, possibly leading to full independence or integration within Morocco. The talks were conducted during 1997 in Houston, United States, under the auspices of United Nations representative James Baker, using the framework of the 1991 Settlement Plan. The agreement was supposed to lead to a referendum in 1998, after it had been prevented from taking place in 1992 as originally envisioned.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Settlement Plan</span> 1991 UN proposal for a referendum on Western Sahara

The Settlement Plan was an agreement between the ethnically Saharawi Polisario Front and Morocco on the organization of a referendum, which would constitute an expression of self-determination for the people of Western Sahara, leading either to full independence, or integration with the Kingdom of Morocco. It resulted in a cease-fire which remains effective until 2020, and the establishment of the MINURSO peace force to oversee it and to organize the referendum. The referendum never occurred.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western Sahara conflict</span> Armed conflict between Morocco and the Polisario Front

The Western Sahara conflict is an ongoing conflict between the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic/Polisario Front and the Kingdom of Morocco. The conflict originated from an insurgency by the Polisario Front against Spanish colonial forces from 1973 to 1975 and the subsequent Western Sahara War against Morocco between 1975 and 1991. Today the conflict is dominated by unarmed civil campaigns of the Polisario Front and their self-proclaimed SADR state to gain fully recognized independence for Western Sahara.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs</span> Advisory committee to the Moroccan government

The Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs is an advisory committee to the Moroccan government on Western Sahara. It was created under Mohammed VI in early 2006, after a new autonomy plan proposed by Morocco to replace the United Nations' Baker Plan. The Polisario Front opposes Morocco's autonomy plan, demanding a referendum and independence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Politics of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic</span>

The politics of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic refers to politics of the Polisario Front's proclaimed Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, a country in North Africa with limited recognition by other states, controlling parts of the Western Sahara region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manhasset negotiations</span> 2007–2008 talks between Morocco and the Saharawi Polisario Front

The Manhasset negotiations were a series of talks that took place in four rounds in 2007–2008 at Manhasset, New York between the Moroccan government and the representatives of the Saharawi liberation movement, the Polisario Front to resolve the Western Sahara conflict. They were considered the first direct negotiations in seven years between the two parties. Also present at the negotiations were the neighboring countries of Algeria and Mauritania.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sahrawi nationality law</span>

Sahrawi nationality law is the law of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic's (SADR) governing nationality and citizenship. The SADR is a partially recognized state which claims sovereignty over the entire territory of Western Sahara, but only administers part of it. The SADR also administers Sahrawi refugee camps.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Outline of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic</span> Overview of and topical guide to the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mexico–Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic relations</span> Bilateral relations

Mexico–Sahrawi Republic relations are the current and historical relations between Mexico and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR). Mexico recognized the SADR on 8 September 1979.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic</span> Partially recognized state in the western Maghreb

The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, also known as the Sahrawi Republic and Western Sahara, is a partially recognized state, located in the western Maghreb, which claims the non-self-governing territory of Western Sahara, but controls only the easternmost one-fifth of that territory. It is recognized by 46 UN member states and South Ossetia. Between 1884 and 1975, Western Sahara was known as Spanish Sahara, a Spanish colony. The SADR is one of the two African states in which Spanish is a significant language, the other being Equatorial Guinea.

The Western Sahara peace process refers to the international efforts to resolve the Western Sahara conflict. The conflict has failed so far to result in permanent peace between Morocco and the Polisario Front. The standing issues of the peace process include Sahrawi refugees, and human rights in Western Sahara.

The First Sahrawi Intifada forms part of the wider and ongoing Western Sahara conflict. It began in 1999 and lasted until 2004, transforming into the Independence Intifada in 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sahrawi nationalism</span> Ideology supporting indigenous rule of Western Sahara

Sahrawi nationalism is a political ideology that seeks self-determination of the Sahrawi people, the indigenous population of Western Sahara. It has historically been represented by the Polisario Front. It came as a reaction against Spanish colonialist policies imposed from 1958 on, and subsequently in reaction to the Mauritanian and Moroccan invasions of 1975.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western Saharan clashes (2020–present)</span> Ongoing armed conflict in the disputed region of Western Sahara

Clashes between military forces belonging to the Kingdom of Morocco and the self-proclaimed Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), represented at the United Nations by the Polisario Front, broke out in the disputed region of Western Sahara in November 2020. It was the latest escalation of an unresolved conflict over the region, which is largely occupied by Morocco, but 20–25% is administered by the SADR. The violence ended a ceasefire between the opposing sides that had held for 29 years in anticipation of a referendum of self-determination that would have settled the dispute. Despite the establishment of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara in 1991, the referendum was never held.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic–United States relations</span> Bilateral relations

The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic and the United States do not have diplomatic relations as the United States since 2020 with the signing of the Israel–Morocco normalization agreement as part of the Abraham Accords recognized the region of Western Sahara as part of Morocco and the annexation of Western Sahara making it the first country to do so. Prior to 2020, the informal position of the United States was supporting Morocco's claim to Western Sahara under autonomy for the SADR without formally recognizing Morocco's annexation. The United States has often mediated proposals for both sides to find an amicable solution to the conflict mostly through the United Nations.

References

  1. ↑ Sahel, El Mostafa (11 April 2007). "Letter dated 11 April 2007 from the Permanent Representative of Morocco to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council". United Nations Security Council. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  2. ↑ Ban, Ki-moon (13 April 2007). Report of the Secretary-General on the Situation Concerning Western Sahara (Report). United Nations Security Council. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  3. ↑ "UN Security Council delays vote on W. Sahara". Reuters Africa. 27 April 2007. Archived from the original on 11 May 2008. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  4. ↑ González Campo, Julio. "Documento de Trabajo núm. 15 DT-2004. Las pretensiones de Marruecos sobre los territorios españoles en el norte de África (1956–2002)" (PDF) (in Spanish). Real Instituto Elcano. p. 6.
  5. ↑ "Report of the Secretary-General on the situation concerning Western Sahara (paragraph 37, p. 10)" (PDF). 2 March 1993. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
  6. ↑ The Air Force role in low-intensity conflict. DIANE Publishing. 1986. p. 47. ISBN   9781428928275.
  7. 1 2 Seddon, David (1989). "Polisario and the Struggle for the Western Sahara: Recent Developments, 1987–1989". Review of African Political Economy. 16 (45/46). Taylor & Francis, Ltd.: 132–142. doi:10.1080/03056248908703833. JSTOR   4006018.
  8. ↑ "Chronology July 16, 1989 – October 15, 1989". Middle East Journal. 44 (1). Middle East Institute: 105. 1990. JSTOR   4328058.
  9. ↑ Miguel, C. Ruiz (2005). "El largo camino jurídico y político hacia el Plan Baker II. ¿Estación de término?". Anuario Mexicano de Derecho Internacional. 5: 461.
  10. ↑ "Western Sahara Referendum". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  11. 1 2 "Morocco offers autonomy in Western Sahara". The Washington Times. Rabat, Morocco. 7 February 2006. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  12. ↑ Milestones in Western Sahara Conflict (PDF) (Report). UNmissions.org. p. 6. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  13. ↑ Copy of the letter with commentary (PDF) (Report). Moroccan Authority. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  14. ↑ Letter to Morocco (PDF) (Report). Moroccan Authority. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  15. ↑ Senate Letter to Morocco (PDF) (Report). Moroccan Authority. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  16. ↑ "El Gobierno anuncia una "nueva etapa" con Marruecos: Albares irá a Rabat en días y después lo hará Sánchez" [The Government announces a "new stage" with Morocco: Albares will go to Rabat in days and then Sánchez will do so]. 20minutos (in Spanish). 18 March 2022. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  17. ↑ Fischer, David T. "Virtual Presence Post for Western Sahara". U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Morocco. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  18. ↑ Kasraoui, Safaa (18 March 2022). "Spain Officially Endorses Morocco's Autonomy Plan for Western Sahara". Morocco World News. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  19. ↑ "Moroccan Sahara: France Reiterates its Support for Autonomy Plan as 'Serious and Credible Basis'". Kingdom of Morocco. 22 March 2022.
  20. ↑ Kasraoui, Safaa (21 March 2022). "Western Sahara: France Reiterates Support for Morocco's Autonomy Plan". Morocco World News. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  21. ↑ Anouar, Souad (23 September 2022). "Western Sahara: Guatemala to Open Consulate in Morocco's Dakhla". Morocco World News. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  22. ↑ Anouar, Souad (24 September 2022). "Somalia to Open Embassy in Rabat, Consulate in Dakhla". Morocco World News. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  23. ↑ "Cape Verde Says Morocco's Autonomy Plan Offers Realistic Solution to Sahara Issue". North Africa Post. 10 May 2023. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.