After weeks of anticipation and waiting, the United Nations Secretariat finally released the Arabic version of Security Council Resolution 2797 on the Moroccan Sahara, thus putting an end to the controversy sparked by Algeria’s reservations about the wording of the document, and confirming the international organization’s adherence to the language of the original text without any modification or change in substance.

In this regard, the Arabic drafting confirmed that the United Nations had not changed anything from the framework drafted by the American pen holder, and that Algeria remains a key party in this regional conflict, despite its repeated attempts to confine the political process to Morocco and the Polisario Front.

Regarding political proposals, the resolution in its Arabic version stressed that the initiatives presented by the parties are not presented as options or alternatives, but rather are discussed within the single framework defined by the Security Council, which is exclusively linked to the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco; this is a signal to block any attempt to pass initiatives outside this framework or portray them as parallel solutions.

With its official publication in six languages, Resolution 2797 puts an end to attempts to reinterpret its content or read it selectively. This version, in its official formulation, reaffirms the constants of the political process and gives the discussion new momentum based on transparency and respect for the UN reference, after weeks of controversy sparked by Algerian pressure and attempts to influence the language of the resolution and its legal terminology.

Temporary calming

In this regard, political actor Daddai Bibout believes that the Security Council’s adoption of Resolution 2797, and the renewal of the MINURSO mission’s mandate for an additional year, constituted a real turning point in the way the international community deals with the Western Sahara conflict, breaking with the routine of the debate that was limited to extending or reducing the UN mission.

In a statement to the Hespress electronic newspaper, Bibout added that the Moroccan political and diplomatic advocacy, based on the high royal directives, has produced a new international reality manifested in the growing international support for the autonomy proposal, the increasing recognition of the Moroccan Sahara, and the translation of this on the ground through the opening of consulates in the cities of Laayoune and Dakhla; which culminated in the adoption of a historic UN resolution that places the autonomy initiative at the forefront of any future negotiations.

The researcher in contemporary and modern history explained that what is being promoted about the possibility of multiple interpretations of Resolution 2797, or its openness to options such as self-determination leading to secession, is nothing more than an attempt to create a temporary calm in the Algerian context and within the camps, noting that “the essence of the resolution reflects an actual shift in dealing with this regional conflict.”

Regarding the political proposals, the source told Hespress that the Security Council adopted for the first time the 2007 autonomy proposal as a serious, realistic and more applicable basis, calling on the parties to engage in negotiations without preconditions; this makes the autonomy initiative the sole basis for the political process, and not a parallel or alternative option within another basket of proposals.

The same spokesperson pointed out that Resolution 2797 represents a fundamental development compared to previous resolutions that merely acknowledged or welcomed the Moroccan initiative among others, without specifying its reference status or priority, while the new resolution places the Moroccan plan for the first time as a fundamental document that frames the upcoming political process. He continued: “The absence of any reference in the text of the resolution to organizing a referendum on independence reflects an implicit recognition of the inapplicability of this option, and its inability to provide a just and lasting settlement to the conflict or put an end to the suffering of those detained in the Tindouf camps.”

In this context, Dadai Bebout noted that the recent UN resolution moves the issue to a new, clearer and more balanced stage, and gives additional momentum to the political process, which consolidates the autonomy initiative as the only credible solution to end this fabricated regional conflict.

Mina Laghzal, coordinator of the Sahrawi NGO Alliance, said that UN Resolution 2797 confirms the centrality of the autonomy proposal submitted by the Kingdom of Morocco since April 11, 2007, as a fair and serious solution capable of meeting the aspirations of the Sahrawis for stability, security, and reunification with their families in the southern provinces of the Kingdom, adding that “genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty constitutes the most viable and feasible solution to resolve the fabricated conflict.”

In a statement to the Hespress electronic newspaper, Laghzal explained that the resolution welcomed the commitment of the Security Council members to facilitate the progress of the political process and the upcoming negotiations without preconditions and in good faith, indicating a broad international consensus with the position that Morocco and its allies have long defended. She noted that “the vote on the resolution reflects strong support for the Kingdom’s proposal and a consensus among Arab, Western and African countries on the seriousness and realism of the Moroccan plan.”

The spokesperson continued, stating that Resolution 2797 makes the autonomy proposal the only basis for negotiating a political solution aimed at breaking the deadlock and ending the perpetuation of the conflict, noting that “with this resolution, the Kingdom of Morocco has confirmed a historic moment and a resounding diplomatic victory that strengthens its position in any future negotiations and blocks attempts to include the referendum option demanded by the Polisario and Algeria.”

The same human rights activist stressed that the decision aims to inject new momentum into the stalled political process under the auspices of the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Staffan de Mistura, and lays a more focused foundation for the talks, highlighting that any attempt by Algeria or the Polisario to disrupt the process will not change the reference nature of the process, which clearly leans in favor of Morocco’s position.

The same spokesperson pointed out that the decision reinforces the isolation of the Polisario Front and Algeria if they consider the process to be biased in favor of Morocco, stressing that “this clear reference provides a firm basis for any future negotiations, and cuts off any attempt to present alternatives that do not conform to the Moroccan autonomy proposal.”

Mina Laghzal concluded that Resolution 2797 presents an opportunity to revitalize the political process and put an end to the decades-long stalemate, stressing that “the UN-backed solution based on Moroccan autonomy represents the most realistic and fair option for all parties involved.”