Russia-backed Burkina Faso and UAE back Africa’s richest king’s plan for disputed territory as Algeria throws its weight behind heavily armed Polisario Front

Burkina Faso Foreign Affairs Minister Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré reaffirmed his country’s commitment to the UN-led negotiation process.

In his address to the assembly, Traoré stated, “We encourage the continuation of efforts to reach a negotiated political solution between the parties pursuant to relevant resolutions of the Security Council”.

Similarly, the United Arab Emirates reiterated its support for Moroccan territorial integrity and sovereignty over its southern provinces.

UAE Minister of State Khalifa bin Shaheen Al Marar endorsed efforts toward a “sustainable political solution to the question of the Moroccan Sahara, based on the Moroccan autonomy initiative”.

A wide coalition of other nations including Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Armenia, Jamaica, Mauritius, Peru, Panama, Chile, and the United States also expressed support for Morocco’s position during assembly meetings and bilateral discussions.

As noted on its Wiki page “The Western Sahara autonomy proposal is an initiative proposed by Morocco since 2007 to establish a Sahara Autonomous Region as a possible solution to the Western Sahara conflict.’

In contrast to the growing international consensus around the autonomy plan, Algeria continues to reject the UN-backed plan and maintain its alliance with the separatist Polisario Front.

Speaking at the UN General Assembly, Algerian Foreign Affairs Minister Ahmed Attaf reaffirmed his country’s backing of the Polisario Front’s demand for self-determination.

Defending Algiers’ stance, Attaf claimed, “This is based on our firm conviction that issues of decolonization cannot be resolved ever through imposing a fait accompli or following that logic”.

He further insisted that decolonization is only complete when populations exercise their rights “fully and without any distortion and without any curtailment”.

Although Algeria advocated for direct talks between Morocco and the Polisario Front, UN Security Council Resolution 2797 specifically frames the autonomy initiative as the basis for negotiations.

As reported by Morocco World News US advisor Massad Boulos said that the Algeria-backed Polisario Front is delaying the UN-guided process by failing to submit feedback on the autonomy plan.