Morocco's Autonomy for Western Sahara on the Table in an 'Updated Version'

Morocco has taken a significant step forward in the Western Sahara negotiations by presenting a refined and detailed version of its 2007 autonomy proposal. This updated initiative, unveiled during talks in Madrid and subsequently in Washington D.C. in February, aims to provide a more concrete and clearer foundation for the ongoing discussions. The move underscores Morocco's commitment to finding a political solution under its sovereignty, as emphasized by the Moroccan Center for Parallel Diplomacy and Intercultural Dialogue.

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Morocco presented during the negotiations... an updated and detailed version of the autonomy proposal it put forward in 2007, accompanied by expanded data aimed at providing a clearer basis for negotiations and bridging the gap between the views of the various parties concerned by the dispute.

While the specifics of the updated proposal remain officially undisclosed, reflecting Morocco's strategic approach to maintain confidentiality during sensitive negotiations, its presentation signifies a proactive engagement. This aligns with the directives of the UN and international mediators, including UN Personal Envoy Staffan de Mistura, who are working to foster a conducive environment for progress. The Moroccan stance of strategic silence is intended to allow the negotiation process to unfold without undue external pressure, thereby increasing the chances of a successful outcome.

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The talks that took place in Spain, during which the Kingdom of Morocco presented a detailed update of the autonomy initiative as reported by the Security Council Report website, reflect a clear direction towards establishing this initiative as the fundamental basis for the negotiation process.

International observers and analysts view this refined autonomy plan as a crucial negotiating asset. Its purported inclusion of detailed clarifications on implementation mechanisms, power distribution, and governance guarantees is seen as a move to bolster international confidence in Morocco's approach. This is expected to strengthen Morocco's standing in the upcoming UN Security Council discussions, which will assess the progress made in the negotiation track.

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He explained that this confirms that Morocco is moving forward in engaging in negotiations based on the autonomy project, which is gaining increasing attention from the international community, alongside direct and intensive sponsorship from the United States of America, reflecting an international will to push this process towards a final settlement of the dispute.

The current phase of negotiations is considered a critical test for the international community's ability to translate the ongoing dynamic into tangible progress towards a sustainable political settlement. Morocco's consistent adherence to its autonomy initiative as the primary basis for negotiation, coupled with the direct and intensive involvement of the United States, signals a growing international will to move towards a final resolution of the long-standing dispute.

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De Mistura chaired these negotiations jointly with the representative of the United States to the United Nations, in implementation of the provisions of Security Council Resolution 2797, explaining that he 'chose to remain silent at the current stage to give these negotiations the best chance of success, and to create favorable conditions for tangible progress, in line with the spirit of the UN resolution and enhance the chances of reaching a political solution.'