UN Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura suggested partitioning the Moroccan Sahara between Morocco and the separatist Polisario in a plan to Secretary-General António Guterres, suggesting a division based on borders used during Mauritania’s control of the region from 1976 to 1979.
The proposal sought to create an independent state in the southern part while integrating the rest into Morocco. De Mistura said that there has been no interest from either Morocco or Polisario in exploring the idea.
This partition plan is not new. In the early 2000s, James Baker III, former U.S. Secretary of State and UN envoy, proposed a similar.
The plan was to split the disputed region, letting Morocco keep certain areas while the rest became an independent state. This plan was a compromise between Morocco’s claims and the demands of the separatist movement, Polisario.
Baker’s proposals to resolve the Moroccan Sahara conflict came in two stages, known as the “Baker Plans.”
The first plan, rolled out in 2001, called for a five-year period where the Moroccan Sahara would have significant autonomy under Moroccan rule.
After that, a referendum would let the people choose between independence, integration with Morocco, or continued autonomy.
In 2003, Baker introduced a more detailed version, dubbed “Baker Plan II.” It proposed a four-to-five-year transition where the Sahrawis would govern themselves with broad local control.
After the transition, they would vote on three options: independence, autonomy under Morocco, or full integration.
Morocco rejected Baker Plan II, mainly because it still allowed for the possibility of independence.
De Mistura said that Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita reiterated that the 2007 autonomy plan remains Morocco’s final offer.
On his part, Polisario’s leader, Brahim Ghali, maintained that the Sahrawi people must decide their future through self-determination.
The UN Special Envoy encouraged Morocco to provide more details on its autonomy proposal and urged all parties to avoid preconditions and show flexibility.
De Mistura concluded that exploring concrete steps forward is crucial for breaking the deadlock, urging Morocco to clarify its vision for a peaceful settlement.
De Mistura said that regional stability is at risk if the conflict remains unresolved, calling for a ceasefire between Morocco and Polisario.
The UN Envoy further added that during a recent visit to Tindouf’s refugee camps, he witnessed dire living conditions with heavy rains worsening the situation and leading to increased humanitarian needs.
“Our colleagues from the UN humanitarian agencies and international NGOs continue their work tirelessly to assist the refugee population — but they did confirm to me how the lack of adequate funding and of visibility of the situation impairs their efforts,” De Mistura said.
He also pointed to strained relations between Morocco and Algeria as a significant barrier to progress. Diplomatic ties between the two countries remain severed, adding to the tensions.
De Mistura urged the Security Council to renew the mandate for the UN mission in the Moroccan Sahara, MINURSO, saying that the mission’s continued presence and freedom of movement are essential.
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