Morocco Establishes 'Unity Day' Amidst Western Sahara Dispute

RABAT - The Kingdom of Morocco has declared October 31st a national holiday, designated "Unity Day," to celebrate what it perceives as growing international support for its autonomy plan for the contested Western Sahara region. The announcement follows the recent passage of a United Nations Security Council resolution that Morocco interprets as an endorsement of its proposal offering autonomy to Western Sahara under Moroccan sovereignty.

Commemorating Territorial Integrity

The newly established holiday will officially commemorate Morocco's "national unity and territorial integrity," a phrase frequently used by the Moroccan government in reference to its claim over Western Sahara. Government sources have stated that Unity Day aims to solidify national sentiment surrounding the Western Sahara issue and to highlight perceived international validation of Morocco's position.

UN Resolution and International Response

While the Moroccan government views the UN Security Council resolution as a significant victory, the reality of the international response is more nuanced. The resolution, sponsored by the United States, renewed the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), a peacekeeping force deployed in the region since 1991. Eleven countries voted in favor of the resolution, while Russia, China, and Pakistan abstained. Algeria, a key regional player and supporter of the Polisario Front, opposed the resolution.

Divergent Interpretations

Dr. Fatima El Maaroufi, a professor of political science at Mohammed V University in Rabat, notes that the Moroccan government is strategically framing the UN resolution to bolster its domestic narrative. "The establishment of Unity Day is a clear attempt to solidify public opinion behind the autonomy plan and to project an image of international consensus, even if that consensus is not as absolute as the government portrays," she stated. "It is crucial to remember that abstentions and opposition to the resolution reflect ongoing concerns and reservations within the international community."

Historical Context: A Protracted Conflict

The Western Sahara conflict is a long-standing dispute rooted in the decolonization of the territory, a phosphate-rich desert region formerly under Spanish rule. In 1975, following Spain's withdrawal, Morocco annexed the territory. This annexation was contested by the Polisario Front (Popular Front for the Liberation of Saguia el-Hamra and Rio de Oro), a Sahrawi liberation movement seeking self-determination for the Sahrawi people. The Polisario Front, backed by Algeria, launched an armed struggle against Moroccan forces.

A ceasefire agreement was reached in 1991 under the auspices of the United Nations, with MINURSO deployed to monitor the ceasefire and organize a referendum on self-determination for the Sahrawi people. However, the referendum has never been held due to disagreements over voter eligibility.

The Autonomy Plan and Its Critics

Morocco has proposed an autonomy plan for Western Sahara, offering a degree of self-governance under Moroccan sovereignty. The Moroccan government argues that this plan represents a realistic and pragmatic solution to the conflict. However, the Polisario Front rejects the autonomy proposal, insisting on the right to a full referendum on independence.

African Union's Stance

The African Union (AU) recognizes the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), the self-declared state established by the Polisario Front, as a sovereign nation. Morocco withdrew from the AU's predecessor, the Organization of African Unity (OAU), in 1984 in protest of the OAU's recognition of the SADR. Morocco rejoined the AU in 2017, signaling a shift in its diplomatic strategy towards engaging with the organization despite its stance on Western Sahara.

Regional Implications and Future Prospects

The Western Sahara conflict continues to be a source of tension between Morocco and Algeria, impacting regional stability and cooperation. Recent years have seen heightened diplomatic friction between the two neighboring countries. The establishment of "Unity Day" is likely to further exacerbate these tensions.

According to Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, a researcher specializing in conflict resolution in the Sahel region, "The Western Sahara issue is a complex and deeply entrenched conflict with no easy solutions. Morocco's establishment of 'Unity Day' is unlikely to resolve the underlying tensions and may even harden positions on both sides. A genuine and lasting solution will require a renewed commitment to dialogue and compromise, with the full participation of all stakeholders, including the Sahrawi people."

The future of Western Sahara remains uncertain, with the UN continuing its efforts to find a peaceful and mutually acceptable solution to the decades-long conflict. The newly declared "Unity Day" underscores Morocco's determination to assert its claim over the territory, but it also highlights the ongoing divisions and the need for a comprehensive approach to resolving the dispute.