International Relations

Polisario Front Considers Autonomy Proposal with Referendum Requirement

The Polisario Front, advocating for Western Sahara’s independence, has indicated potential acceptance of Morocco’s autonomy plan. This acceptance hinges on the condition that the Sahrawi population validates the proposal through a referendum that includes independence as an option.

On Mon, Oct 23, 2023, Mohamed Yeslem Beissat, the Polisario’s chief diplomat, submitted an “expanded proposal” to the United Nations. This proposal outlines three options in compliance with international law: independence, integration, and a free association pact, which could be akin to Morocco’s autonomy proposal.

Beissat emphasized that while the movement is showing willingness to engage with Morocco, discussing autonomy without a referendum is unacceptable. The United Nations Security Council is scheduled to deliberate on a new resolution regarding the region’s status on Tue, Oct 31, 2023, amid ongoing efforts to resolve the five-decade-long conflict.

Currently, an increasing number of African, Arab, and Western countries are expressing support for Morocco’s plan, which aims to establish autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty. Western Sahara, previously a Spanish colony until 1975, has been largely administered by Rabat, which views it as an integral part of Morocco.

The Algeria-supported Polisario Front, controlling areas along the territory’s eastern border, maintains that the Sahrawi people are entitled to self-determination.