Staffan de Mistura, the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy to Western Sahara, confirmed on Wednesday that he is “eagerly awaiting” an updated version of the Moroccan autonomy plan, which will form the basis for negotiations on the future of the disputed territory.

Until now, the Security Council has been calling on Morocco, the Polisario Front, Algeria and Mauritania to resume negotiations, which have been stalled since 2019, to reach a “realistic, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution.”

But the US draft resolution, which was approved last Friday, adopts a position in support of the Rabat plan presented in 2007. This plan stipulates granting the region, which is rich in phosphates and has marine waters rich in fish, autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty.

The text argues that “genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty may represent the best solution,” and calls on the United Nations to conduct negotiations on this basis.

Staffan de Mistura, who is known for his infrequent public statements, said during a video press conference on Wednesday that this decision is “important because it shows a new international determination and resolve to resolve this conflict that has lasted for 50 years.”

The Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General to Western Sahara said: “We are now eagerly awaiting Morocco’s detailed and updated autonomy plan.”

The same UN official explained that he would also ask all parties to “submit proposals to enable the United Nations to develop a program of direct or indirect discussions if needed.”

De Mistura also stressed that the resolution, adopted by the Security Council and praised by Rabat as historic, establishes a “framework” based on the Moroccan plan, but does not “determine any outcome” for the negotiations.

The aforementioned spokesperson added: “Let us remind everyone that engaging in negotiations does not necessarily mean accepting the outcome. What matters is participation.”