All articles tagged with #western sahara
Morocco has denied Western Sahara's independence for 50 years, following a history of military invasion, diplomatic manipulation, and international neglect, despite legal and moral claims for self-determination by the Sahrawi people and international bodies like the ICJ.
The US welcomes the UN Security Council's resolution on Western Sahara, supporting diplomatic efforts for peace, endorsing Morocco's autonomy proposal as a basis for a solution, and emphasizing the importance of regional stability and ongoing negotiations.
The UN Security Council is set to renew MINURSO's mandate for one year until October 2026, amid contentious negotiations over the political solution for Western Sahara, with debates focusing on Morocco's autonomy plan versus the Polisario Front's referendum proposal, and the draft resolution passing with mixed support.
Morocco has won a vote to lead the UN Human Rights Council despite South Africa's disapproval, with Ambassador Omar Zniber elected council president. The dispute stems from Morocco's sovereignty claim over Western Sahara, where the Algeria-backed Polisario Front seeks independence. Morocco has been accused of rights abuses, including repression of journalists and minorities, and use of Pegasus spyware, but denies the allegations. The UN Human Rights Council, established in 2006, rotates its presidency annually between regional groupings and is tasked with protecting and promoting human rights worldwide.
Morocco has not applied to join the BRICS grouping and will not attend its summit in South Africa, according to state news agency MAP. This contradicts a statement by South Africa's foreign minister, who claimed that Morocco was among the nations seeking to join the bloc. The strained relations between the two countries are due to South Africa's support for the Algeria-backed Polisario front, which seeks independence for Western Sahara, a territory claimed by Morocco. Morocco criticized South Africa for its negative and dogmatic positions on the Western Sahara issue and stated that it maintains good ties with the other BRICS member states.
King Mohammed VI of Morocco expressed his desire for a return to normality and open borders with Algeria, despite severed diplomatic ties since 1994. The closure of borders and worsening relations between the two countries have been primarily due to the Western Sahara dispute. Morocco considers the territory its own, while the Algerian-backed Polisario front seeks an independent state. The king also welcomed Israeli recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara, a move criticized by Algeria.
Israel has officially recognized Moroccan sovereignty over the disputed territory of Western Sahara, according to a letter from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to King Mohammed VI. This move comes after the United States recognized Morocco's claim to the territory in exchange for its partial upgrade of relations with Israel. Morocco hopes that Israel's recognition will encourage investments in the region, while maintaining its commitment to the two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana has called for Israel to recognize Morocco's sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara, during an official visit to the country. Rabat controls nearly 80% of the Western Sahara and sees the entire territory as its sovereign territory, while the Polisario Front movement seeks independence in the territory. Israel and Morocco established full diplomatic relations in December 2020 as part of the Abraham Accords, and since then, cooperation in security, trade, and tourism has grown. However, there is opposition from some sectors of the Moroccan public to closer ties with Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's national security adviser visited Rabat on Wednesday as Israel considers a possible announcement of recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over disputed Western Sahara. Such a move could lead to a full upgrade of bilateral ties, with the countries’ respective missions becoming economic embassies, and a free-trade pact possible down the line. Winning support for its stand on Western Sahara is the ultimate goal of Moroccan diplomacy, which has been emboldened by former US President Donald Trump's recognition and the ensuing support of Western powers.
Israel is reportedly considering recognizing Morocco's sovereignty over the disputed region of Western Sahara, which could lead to an upgrade in diplomatic ties and a free-trade agreement. The move comes as National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi visits Morocco to discuss strengthening cooperation in foreign affairs and defense. Israel and Morocco have steadily built up their relationship since normalizing ties in 2020 as part of the Abraham Accords, and bilateral trade between the two countries grew by a third in 2022.
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has stated that relations with Morocco have reached "the point of no return" due to the ongoing dispute over Western Sahara and differences in their position towards Israel. Tebboune also accused Spain of being biased towards Morocco and forgetting its role as a former colonial power in Western Sahara. The two North African countries broke off diplomatic relations in 2021, and Algeria backs the armed Polisario movement seeking independence for Western Sahara, while Morocco claims the territory as its own.
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune stated in an interview with Al Jazeera that the country's relations with Morocco have reached the point of no return, following the break-off of diplomatic relations in 2021 due to tensions over issues including the dispute over Western Sahara.