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Morocco's Foreign Minister, Nasser Bourita, is set to visit Paris on October 22 and 23, as reported this Tuesday by Africa Intelligence. This long-delayed trip is crucial, as it will involve key discussions with his French counterpart, Jean-Noël Barrot, focusing on the contentious issue of Western Sahara.
The timing of this visit is particularly significant, with the United Nations Security Council poised to vote on October 30 or 31 on a new resolution to extend MINURSO's mandate in the Sahara for another year.
Morocco is hopeful that the resolution will reaffirm the primacy of its 2007 autonomy plan. However, this proposal now requires updates and clarifications regarding its practical implementation, with France expected to play a pivotal role in these developments.
Is MINURSO's mandate up for revision?
According to Africa Intelligence, Moroccan diplomats received a note from France on August 29 about the autonomy initiative. Paris has sought several clarifications, particularly on the representation of the local population, conditions for the return of Sahrawis from the Tindouf camps, and the proposed model of autonomy.
France has also suggested that Morocco could draw inspiration from the political system established in French Polynesia since 1984. This system features a local government, led by a president and ministers, exercising its own powers, supported by a Territorial Assembly and an Economic, Social and Cultural Committee.
The first article of law no. 84-820 of September 6, 1984, states that «French Polynesia constitutes an overseas territory with internal autonomy within the framework of the French Republic».
Meanwhile, Francophone media report ongoing consultations within the Security Council regarding the draft resolution. This document, expected to be submitted soon by the American administration, could formally invite Morocco to elaborate on its autonomy plan for Western Sahara.
Regarding potential changes to MINURSO's mandate, Africa Intelligence remains cautious but notes that the UN might ask the mission to focus more on monitoring hostilities between the Royal Armed Forces (FAR) and the Polisario Front.
It is worth recalling that the Security Council, in resolution 2440 adopted on October 31, 2018, emphasized the importance of achieving «a realistic, pragmatic, and durable political solution to the question of Western Sahara, based on compromise, and that it is crucial to adapt the strategic action of MINURSO and allocate United Nations resources to this end».
