Rabat, 5th November, 2025
On Friday 31st October 2025, the UN Security Council adopted a landmark resolution marking a qualitative shift in efforts to settle the dispute over the Moroccan Sahara.
The UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2797 on the Moroccan Sahara conflict, authorizing the continued operations of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Moroccan Sahara (MINURSO) until 31 October 2026. The 15-member organ adopted resolution 2797 (2025) (to be issued as document S/RES/2797(2025)
For the first time, Morocco’s autonomy plan was explicitly supported as a fundamental solution to the conflict.
The resolution expresses full support for the UN Secretary-General and his personal envoy in facilitating negotiations based on Morocco’s autonomy initiative to reach a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable solution consistent with the UN Charter.
The UN resolution 2797 (2025) says “genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty could constitute a most feasible solution”. The measure also renews the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Moroccan Sahara for another year, as has been done for more than three decades. Prior extensions, however, have not included a reference to Morocco and its allies’ preferred outcome. The resolution calls on all parties involved to “seize this unprecedented opportunity for a lasting peace.” Depending on progress, it asks António Guterres, the Secretary-General, to review the Peacekeeping Mission’s mandate within six months.
The US, which sponsored the resolution 2797 (2025), led 11 countries including Sierra Leone, South Korea and other members vote in favour, while three countries – Russia, China and Pakistan – abstained. Algeria did not participate in the vote.
Speaking on Friday at the close of the UN resolution 2797 vote on Moroccan Sahara, Sierra Leone’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN Michael Imran Kanu, highlighted the international momentum in support of the Moroccan autonomy initiative, that “aligns with international law.”
He further noted that Sierra Leone called for “a resumed round-table process with the full participation of all parties,” hailing Morocco’s commitment “at the highest level to achieve a consensual solution,” quoting “a solution with neither winner or loser.”
Sierra Leone reaffirmed before the U.N. Security Council its support for the autonomy initiative presented by Morocco to bring the regional dispute over the Moroccan Sahara to a definitive close.
The Sierra Leone delegate reiterated the country’s support for the political process under the auspices of the United Nations, calling on all parties to engage in good will to reach a realist, mutually acceptable political solution to this regional dispute.
His Majesty, King Mohammed VI in his speech on Friday 31st October, 2025 following the UN Security Council’s vote on a new resolution on Moroccan Sahara, said “after fifty years of sacrifices, we are starting a new chapter in the process of consolidating the Moroccanness of the Sahara, and closing, once and for all, this fabricated conflict, within the framework of a consensual solution based on the Autonomy Initiative”.
According to him, “this is a pivotal moment and a crucial turning point in the history of modern Morocco. There is a before October 31, 2025 era, and an after October 30”.
His Majesty the King further stated that the time has come for a unified Morocco to emerge – from Tangier to Lagouira – a Morocco whose rights and historical borders would not be infringed upon by anyone.
He reaffirmed that, in light of this UN resolution 2797 (2025), Morocco will update and detail its Autonomy Initiative, then submit it to the United Nations to serve as the sole basis for negotiation, given that it is the only realistic, viable solution.
As King of the country and guarantor of the rights and freedoms of citizens, he affirms that all Moroccans are equal, and that there is no difference between those returning from the Tindouf camps and their brothers and sisters within the homeland.
On Algeria and regional cooperation, King Mohammed VI called upon his brother, His Excellency President Abdelmajid Tebboune, to engage in a sincere and fraternal dialogue to end the political stalemate and tension between the two countries.
In Morocco, thousands of people celebrated on the streets, as the resolution represents a historic change of course, adopting a resolution describing autonomy for Western Sahara under Moroccan sovereignty as the most feasible solution to the 50-year territorial dispute.
The resolution which was warmly welcomed and celebrated by other leaders as the shift could unsettle a long-stalled process that for decades has eluded resolution, despite a UN Peacekeeping Mission that was designed to be temporary.
In a recent development, pursuant to the UN resolution 2797 (2025), His Majesty the King has also declared the 31st of October as a holiday accross the Kingdom of Morocco. This according to him, signifies the day of unifying the people of Morocco (Unity Day).
Aminaash Nyande Brima
Information Attaché
Embassy of the Republic
Sierra Leone
Rabat, Morocco
