Moroccan Diplomacy Faces Crisis of Inconsistency Following UN Resolution on Sahrawi Self-Determination

BY: Dr. Hana Saada

Algiers, Algeria | October 22nd, 2024 — In a recent development, the United Nations General Assembly’s Fourth Committee adopted a resolution affirming the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination. Despite its long-standing opposition to the Sahrawi cause, Morocco did not object to the resolution—a stark display of the growing disconnection between its diplomatic rhetoric and actions on the global stage.

The Moroccan diplomatic apparatus, which is quick to vehemently condemn nations like Algeria for supporting the Sahrawi right to self-determination, found itself silent during the UN vote. Even countries that traditionally back Morocco’s territorial claims, including allies who endorse its stance on the Western Sahara issue, gave their tacit approval to the resolution through a consensus vote. This decision, reached by the entire UN body, only highlights the widening gap between Morocco’s combative narrative and the diplomatic realities it faces.

The Fourth Committee’s adoption of this resolution comes at a time when the Sahrawi cause is witnessing significant momentum, following a landmark ruling by the European Court of Justice in favor of the Sahrawi people’s rights. This legal victory reaffirms the legitimacy of the Sahrawi struggle and signals the dawn of a new chapter in the fight against colonialism, as the Western Sahara remains Africa’s last colony.

The decision underscores the international community’s recognition of the Sahrawi people’s inalienable right to independence, in line with UN General Assembly Resolution 1514 (XV) of December 14, 1960, which asserts the right to self-determination for all colonized nations. This resolution, alongside recent judicial victories, is setting the foundation for the Western Sahara issue to be addressed on firmer and more just grounds—those rooted in decolonization and international law.

Last week, the Fourth Committee of the General Assembly completed its deliberations on decolonization, adopting 24 resolutions. Among the most significant was the consensus on Western Sahara, which reaffirmed historical and legal truths that the territory remains a case of decolonization. The resolution also reinforced the UN’s enduring responsibility toward the Sahrawi people and called on the Special Committee on Decolonization (Committee of 24) to continue monitoring the situation.

This UN resolution’s quiet approval exposes Morocco’s diplomatic isolation and raises questions about the viability of its ongoing claims over Western Sahara. It serves as a reminder that no amount of diplomatic maneuvering can obscure the fundamental right of the Sahrawi people to determine their future. The international community has spoken—loudly and clearly—leaving Morocco to confront the widening chasm between its internal posturing and the global consensus.

As the Sahrawi struggle for self-determination gains renewed strength, Morocco’s reluctance to openly challenge the resolution marks a critical moment of reckoning. The road ahead will likely see further legal, political, and diplomatic shifts, as the Sahrawi cause continues to cement its place as a just and unresolved decolonization issue.

 

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