Morocco engages Russia over Western Sahara UN resolution

Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita held a telephone conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to discuss diplomatic coordination ahead of an anticipated United Nations Security Council vote. The discussions focused on a United States-drafted resolution concerning the UN mission in Western Sahara.

The proposed resolution suggests significant changes to the current mission, MINURSO, including a potential renaming to the United Nations Mission for Western Sahara (MINUSO) and the removal of references to a referendum. The draft outlines a plan to end the peacekeeping mandate by April 30, 2027, transitioning the entity into a special political mission. The text asserts that “genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the only feasible solution.”

Russia’s support is viewed as critical due to its status as a permanent member of the Security Council. The diplomatic engagement also touched upon bilateral relations and preparations for the upcoming Third Russia-Africa Summit.