Revival of Partition Proposal by De Mistura
Staffan de Mistura, the UN Secretary-General's personal envoy for Western Sahara, has revived discussions on a partition proposal originating from former envoy James Baker. This approach, rejected by Morocco in the early 2000s, suggests creating an "independent state" in southern Sahara while retaining Moroccan sovereignty in the north, aiming to establish a "new UN settlement" to resolve a conflict lasting over five decades.
This proposition has faced significant opposition from all sides, as indicated by de Mistura during his briefing to the Security Council on October 17, despite implicit support from some international players like Algeria and Mauritania and direct rejections from Morocco, France, the U.S., and Spain.
Amid a political stalemate since de Mistura's appointment three years ago, he expressed disappointment regarding the parties' responsiveness and emphasized the need for clearer explanations of Morocco's autonomy initiative, which is gaining international support. Morocco has shown willingness to provide further details on the implementation mechanisms of autonomy, reflecting its openness to practical solutions under its sovereignty.
Outdated Proposals and Mediation Failure
Ibrahim Bilali Aswih, a member of the Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs, criticized de Mistura's recent briefing, stating that reviving outdated proposals indicates a failure in mediation efforts and a departure from neutral diplomacy. He noted that Algeria’s actions to limit Morocco’s ties to Africa exacerbated the conflict. Aswih pointed out that de Mistura's current approach lacks effective outcomes in advancing the political settlement, with persistent challenges from the Algeria-Polisario dynamic undermining negotiations.
UN Resolution Context
The upcoming UN Security Council decision is likely to extend the mandate of the MINURSO mission, despite de Mistura’s suggestions for a six-month timeframe to achieve progress. Upcoming global distractions could impact negotiations related to Western Sahara, alongside ongoing tensions between Morocco and Algeria.
