• UN Security Council unanimously supports Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara.
• King Mohammed VI views the resolution as a "historic" diplomatic victory.
• The decision reiterates the US and other Western nations' backing for Morocco's stance.
• Algeria and Polisario Front reject the outcome, emphasizing the need for inclusivity.

On October 31, 2025, the UN Security Council voted to adopt a resolution supporting Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara, which King Mohammed VI hailed as a "historic" moment for Morocco. In a televised speech, he expressed his "immense pride" and conveyed the significance of this endorsement as part of a broader effort to solidify Moroccan sovereignty over the contested territory, which has sparked a long-standing conflict with the Algeria-backed Polisario Front, which seeks independence for Western Sahara, a vast mineral-rich region formerly under Spanish control. The king affirmed, "We are opening a new and victorious chapter in the process of enshrining the Moroccan character of the Sahara," according to Le Monde.

The resolution passed with 11 votes in favor, while three members, including Algeria and South Africa, abstained. The text affirmed that genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty represents the most feasible solution to the decades-long dispute, directly opposing calls for a referendum with independence as an option advocated by the Polisario Front. U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, emphasized the need for all parties to engage in serious discussions, stating, "We believe regional peace is possible this year," according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.

The Security Council's backing for Morocco's plan, initially presented in 2007, signifies a notable shift in international diplomatic support, particularly after the recent endorsements from France and the UK, aligning with Trump-era policies. This development further isolates the Polisario Front amid growing Western endorsement for Morocco's position. The implications of this resolution, which also extended the mandate of the UN peacekeeping force in Western Sahara, are expected to intensify the ongoing diplomatic conflict as Algeria and the Polisario maintain that the resolution does not recognize Moroccan sovereignty. A representative from the Polisario stated, "Our struggle for self-determination will never be over," according to Africanews and Le Monde.