Autonomy is not the answer for Western Sahara

The betrayal of the West to the Western Sahara threatens not only the freedom of a human being, but also the integrity of international law.

On April 8, 2025, the US Department of State uncomfortable announcement: He re -confirmed the recognition of Moroccan sovereignty against the West Sahara and declared Morocco’s autonomy proposal for a long -standing conflict. He urged the parties to negotiate without delay using the Moroccan frame as a single basis for negotiations and offers us support to facilitate progressing towards this goal.

This movement represents a plain shift from the long -standing consensus, which has been on the right of the peoples, to self -determination. The United Nations effectively rejects their decisions, legal views and rejection of Moroccan sovereignty by the Sahara people.

Let’s be clear: Autonomy is not a solution according to the Moroccan rule. This is a professional re -brand. The West Sahara is not a domestic Moroccan issue – the issue of colonization and the people of the Western Sahara have the right to determine their own future. No solution can be legitimate unless it starts and ends with this right.

The right to self -determination is a fundamental principle of international law. Settled UN Regulation, International Convention on Civil and Political RightsAnd Economic, Social and Cultural Rights International Convention – All of these declare that they have the right to freely identify the political status of all peoples and maintain their economic, social and cultural development.

1970 International Law Principles Declaration (Solution 2625) This is not a bargaining request or political bargaining chip, jus cogens The norm is a permanent principle of international law, which is not allowed any derogation.

Accordingly Solution 2625Each state has the duty to encourage the realization of this right. UN Regulation And avoid any forced action that will deprive people of freedom and independence. These are not abstract ideals; Binding obligations. Determining your own destiny is also a obligation ERGA OMNES – A task that owes to international society by all states as a whole. In other words, each state has a legal interest in ensuring the protection and fulfillment of this right.

This collective responsibility was further confirmed Solution 2105 (XX)It was adopted in 1965 by the UN General Assembly. He clearly accepted the legitimacy of the colonized peoples to self -determination and independence. Most importantly, he called on all states to provide financial and moral support to the national liberation movements struggling with colonial dominance.

These principles are important. They define not only the legality of state actions, but also the integrity of international law. And right now, they ignore it.

Attempts to bring autonomy according to the scope of Moroccan administration without a legitimate self -determination process are the direct violation of this principle.

West Sahara is on the list of self -management regions, the UN’s last unresolved colonial case in Africa. International Court of Justice (Icj) at the turning point 1975 Consultation OpinionHe could not find any legal bond between Morocco and Western Sahara about legal sovereignty.

In the court’s own words:

‘The materials and information presented to this do not constitute any regional sovereignty between the Western Sahara region and the Kingdom of Morocco.’

In other words, Morocco has no legal claim in the region.

Following the withdrawal of Spain in 1975, Morocco forcibly occupied the Western Sahara, which is an action condemned UN General Assembly inside Solution 34/37 (1979)The ongoing Moroccan profession “deeply destroyed”.

Autonomy can work to solve internal disputes in a single dominant state. However, the Western Sahara is not a case of internal conflict. This is a matter of colonization. It is a separate and different region that never consents to the occupation of people of Morocco’s homeland.

Under the sovereignty of Morocco, the autonomy assumes the sovereignty of Morocco – an unlawful assumption. Such a regulation will constitute the rejection of the right to freely choose the political status of the Sahara people. UN Regulation And their decisions to the Western Sahara.

The people of the Sahara, through unrecognized ones Frente PolisarioMorocco rejected its autonomy plans many times. They demand that they have been promised: a referendum on independence.

This promise was officialized in the 1991 UN Peace Plan. Is not fulfilled.

In 2007, Frente Polisario is a Comprehensive peace proposal To the United Nations. A referendum that offers three options was called – independence, integration or autonomy with Morocco. In addition, if independence was the chosen result, strategic partnerships with Morocco have committed to negotiate.

UN Security Council Solution 1754He welcomed both Morocco and Polisario suggestions and called for negotiations without prerequisite. Follow -up decisions 1783 (2007) And 1813 (2008) He confirmed this balanced approach again.

Registration shows that Polisario is acting in good faith. The same cannot be said for Morocco, which continues to prevent any process that can lead to game.

Supporting Morocco autonomy suggestions in self -self -determination sends a dangerous message: that a state can force the land with force and be rewarded for it.

It weakens the international order based on rules. It threatens global stability. And betrayed the promise of colonization – by the international community Declaration on the independence of 1960 colonial countries and peoples.

The West Sahara will not disappear from the map and the people of Sahrawi will not abandon their right to be free.

Autonomy is not colonialism. Not justice. And this is not peace.

The only legal and permanent solution to the conflict in the Western Sahara is the process of self -determination that allows the people of Sahrawi to freely and fairly decide on their future, including the option of independence.

Less something is the approval of the occupation and a violation of international law.

It is time to stop activating injustice of the international community and begin to support its principles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asbrn6WSDC0

Kamal Fadel Polisario Representative in Australia and New Zealand. You can find it on Twitter: @Alfudail.

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