At the United Nations, the representative for Western Sahara has put forward the idea of partitioning the territory between Morocco and the independence-seeking Polisario Front as a potential resolution to the longstanding conflict. Staffan de Mistura suggested that dividing the area could create opportunities for both parties, allowing local residents to decide their governance preference.
De Mistura illustrated this concept by proposing that the southern portion of Western Sahara could become an independent state, while the remaining territory would be incorporated into Morocco, which would then gain international recognition of its sovereignty over the area. This approach, although not unprecedented, has resurfaced as a viable option in discussions regarding the region’s future.
The notion of partition has historical roots, with a previous agreement that never took effect involving Mauritania, which ceded the southern region of Western Sahara to Polisario following its withdrawal in 1979. Moreover, former U.N. envoy James Baker had introduced similar partition ideas over twenty years ago. De Mistura noted that several involved nations have shown interest in the partition proposal, yet both Morocco and Polisario have been reticent to explore this avenue further.
A proposed partition based on historical boundaries would see Laayoune, the largest city in the disputed territory, situated in the northern region, while Dakhla, the second largest, would be found in the south. This division could theoretically provide a measure of autonomy for Morocco over certain areas and allow for Sahrawi independence, yet it falls short of addressing the fundamental demands of either side. Morocco maintains a stance against negotiating the sovereignty over the disputed land, while Polisario continues to advocate for self-determination through a referendum.
At this time, representatives from both Morocco and Polisario have not commented on de Mistura’s partition suggestion. The United Nations has been actively seeking to mediate the territorial dispute since the 1970s, playing a pivotal role in formulating a settlement in 1991 that established a cease-fire and the groundwork for a U.N. peacekeeping operation responsible for facilitating a vote on the future of the former Spanish colony.
Despite the United Nations’ efforts, previous negotiations have not sparked significant progress with earlier envoys. During a recent briefing, De Mistura expressed his intent to work towards progress over the next six months, with plans to reconvene for consultations in the following year. He acknowledged that the lack of advancement could lead to scrutiny regarding future United Nations involvement in the political proceedings related to Western Sahara, raising the possibility of recommending a reassessment of the situation to the Security Council.
Western Sahara, located in northwest Africa, has been classified by the United Nations as a “non-self-governing” territory since 1963, during its time as a Spanish colony. The U.N. recognizes Polisario as the legitimate representative of the Sahrawi people. Morocco controls the bulk of this phosphate-rich region, regarding it as part of its “southern provinces,” whereas Polisario operates as a government in exile from refugee camps situated in southwestern Algeria.
In light of ongoing tensions and stalled peace efforts, Polisario suspended its participation in the cease-fire agreement in 2020, leading to ongoing low-level conflicts. With the U.N. process facing impasses, Morocco’s allies, which include the United States, France, and Spain, have increasingly supported Morocco’s autonomy proposal from 2006, which does not extend to granting independence for the contested territory.