Morocco's proposed autonomy plan for Sahara, explained

Following French President Macron’s recent affirmed support for Morocco’s proposed autonomy plan for the Western Sahara, the circle of states supporting the Kingdom’s territorial integrity is enlarging, coming to include many African, European, Asian and American nations.

Macron’s endorsement reflects Paris’s view that the autonomy plan represents the most viable framework for resolving the prolonged dispute.

The autonomy plan, initially proposed by Morocco in April 2007, seeks to offer Western Sahara a high degree of self-governance while remaining under Moroccan sovereignty. President Macron’s letter emphasizes that this plan aligns with United Nations Security Council resolutions and is regarded by France as the “only basis for reaching a political, just, sustainable, and negotiated solution” to the conflict.

What exactly is Morocco’s Autonomy Plan?

The autonomy plan is designed to grant Western Sahara significant self-administration powers while maintaining Morocco’s sovereignty over the territory. Here are the central components of the plan:

Governance Structure: The autonomy plan proposes a comprehensive governance structure for Western Sahara. It envisions the creation of autonomous legislative, executive, and judicial bodies within the region. The legislative body will be composed of representatives elected from Sahrawi tribes and through direct universal suffrage.

The executive branch will be responsible for forming a regional administration, implementing policies, and managing the day-to-day affairs of the autonomous region. This executive will be accountable to the parliament, which will also have the power to establish regional courts.

Local Administration and Law Enforcement: The plan grants the autonomous region authority over local administration and law enforcement. It includes the establishment of regional police forces and local administrative offices responsible for managing public services, maintaining order, and ensuring the implementation of regional laws.

Economic Development: The autonomy plan emphasizes economic self-sufficiency for Western Sahara. It provides for significant financial resources to be allocated to the region, derived from local taxes, exploitation of natural resources, and national solidarity funds. The plan supports regional economic development through investments in trade, industry, tourism, and agriculture. The goal is to promote economic growth and enhance the quality of life for residents.

Judicial Authority: The regional judiciary will include a range of courts responsible for interpreting and applying regional laws. The highest judicial authority in the autonomous region will be the Supreme Court, which will handle legal disputes and ensure that regional legislation aligns with the overarching framework of Moroccan and international law.

Sovereignty and National Integration: While the plan grants significant autonomy to Western Sahara, it preserves Moroccan sovereignty over critical national aspects. Morocco will retain control over the national flag, anthem, currency, and key elements of national security. The Moroccan government will also oversee foreign relations, national defense, and territorial integrity.

The autonomous region will have a role in foreign relations through consultations with the Moroccan government, allowing it to establish cooperative relationships with foreign entities to foster regional development. However, the Moroccan state will manage overarching issues related to national security and international diplomacy.

Constitutional and Legal Framework: The autonomy plan will be integrated into Morocco’s constitution following approval through a referendum. This integration aims to provide legal stability and permanence to the autonomy arrangement. The plan also includes provisions for a comprehensive amnesty, which will exclude prosecution for offenses covered by the amnesty and support the reintegration of returnees into Moroccan society.

Implementation and Transitional Arrangements: Once the plan is approved, a transitional council composed of representatives from the involved parties will oversee the implementation process. This includes managing the repatriation of displaced persons, disarmament of armed elements, and setting up the necessary administrative and legal frameworks. The council will also facilitate the electoral processes required to establish the new regional institutions.

Regional Representation: The residents of the autonomous region will have representation in Morocco’s national parliament and other key national institutions, ensuring their interests are considered in the broader national context.

The autonomy plan is designed to address the aspirations of the Sahara’s people for self-governance while maintaining Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara. It aims to foster regional development, enhance local governance, and ensure stability and integration within Morocco.

International Support 

The autonomy proposal has garnered support from several international and regional powers, including the United States, Spain, and Germany and the Netherlands. However, the separatist Polisario Front and Algeria continue to reject the plan, demanding a different resolution to the issue, in the form of a referendum.

Macron’s recent endorsement represents a broadening of the plan’s international backing from a key European power and aligns France with the growing list of countries supporting the Kingdom’s autonomy plan.

The plan’s focus on local self-governance and economic development aims to address long-standing grievances while maintaining Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern territories.