A recent report by the Spanish newspaper El Pais said that Morocco sees the process started with the 1975 Green March as finally complete after 50 years, especially following last Friday’s United Nations vote.
The resolution establishes Morocco’s autonomy plan as the basis for a negotiated solution in the Sahara, a development King Mohammed VI described as a before and after in the history of the conflict, it added.
With the UN resolution in hand, the source stressed that Morocco appears to have the upper hand diplomatically.
El Pais recalled the historical background of the dispute, noting that King Hassan II launched the Green March in November 1975 as Spain’s dictator, Francisco Franco, was dying.
This was followed by Spain’s hasty withdrawal in early 1976, which sparked open conflict between Morocco, supported by France and the United States, and the separatist Polisario Front, backed by Algeria and Libya.
The war continued until a UN-brokered ceasefire in 1991 and the creation of the MINURSO mission.
It stressed that Morocco did not hesitate to engage in diplomatic tensions with France in 2022–23 and a near-break with Spain over Polisario leader Brahim Ghali to strengthen its position on the issue.
This strategy, the same source reported, proved effective, strengthening recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara.
It also reported from Laayoune a sense of festive euphoria among locals, highlighting Morocco’s extensive infrastructure investments.
Abdelatif, a pro-Moroccan Sahrawi tribal leader, said, “life in the Sahara since Spain’s departure has brought economic progress and social welfare. We hope our compatriots in Tindouf can share in this,” according to the same source.
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