Non-Renewal of Minurso’s Mandate Opens New Diplomatic Phase Marked by Consolidation of Morocco’s Autonomy Plan- French Geopolitical Expert

Paris – The United Nations Security Council’s non-renewal of Minurso’s mandate opens a new phase in the process of settling the Moroccan Sahara issue, marked by the consolidation of the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco as the sole basis for political discussions, French geopolitical expert Emmanuel Dupuy said.

In a statement to MAP on the implications of this development, Dupuy, who heads the Institute for Prospective and Security in Europe (IPSE), stressed that the reconsideration of the UN mission, established 35 years ago, reflects, in particular, the persistent difficulties that have marked its mandate.

This development calls for prioritizing a political approach based on Security Council Resolution 2797, which constitutes the essential reference framework for settling this conflict, he explained, highlighting the importance now accorded to Morocco’s autonomy plan in the political process as a significant achievement.

“Once the rinciple of a political settlement with Morocco’s autonomy plan at the heart of the process has been adopted, there will be no going back,” he said, noting that the October 30 vote at the UN Security Council should be analyzed in light of broader diplomatic dynamics that establish the autonomy plan as the sole basis for a settlement.