Belgium Considers Morocco’s Autonomy Proposal for Western Sahara
(MENAFN) Belgium has formally recognized Morocco’s autonomy proposal for Western Sahara as the “most appropriate” path toward resolving one of North Africa’s longest-standing territorial disputes.
The announcement came Thursday in Brussels after Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and his Belgian counterpart, Maxime Prevot, signed a joint declaration, accompanied by a broader cooperation agreement covering trade, security, and other sectors.
“Belgium considers the Moroccan Initiative for Negotiating an Autonomy Statute for the Sahara Region… as the most appropriate, serious, credible and realistic basis for achieving a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution,” the Belgian foreign ministry stated. The ministry added that Brussels will “act diplomatically and economically in accordance with this position, always in respect of international law,” moving forward.
The Western Sahara conflict began in 1975 when Morocco annexed the territory following Spain’s withdrawal. A war between Moroccan forces and the Polisario Front—a group seeking self-determination for the Sahrawi people—claimed an estimated 10,000–20,000 lives before a UN-brokered ceasefire in 1991. Fighting resumed in 2020, and efforts to hold a UN-backed referendum on the region’s status have stalled.
Morocco first presented its autonomy plan to the UN Security Council in April 2007. The proposal would grant local residents administrative, legislative, and judicial powers while Morocco retains control over foreign policy, defense, security, and the currency. Morocco would also continue flying its flag over the phosphate-rich territory. The Polisario Front and Algeria, which supports full independence for Western Sahara, have rejected the plan.
Several countries, including the US, France, Portugal, Israel, the UK, and Spain—the former colonial power—have endorsed Morocco’s initiative as the most credible basis for resolving the conflict. Ghana and Kenya have also officially backed Rabat’s position.
Algeria, whose relations with Morocco remain tense over the dispute, has criticized international support for the autonomy plan, calling it “counterproductive” and warning it could escalate the conflict. Late Thursday, Algiers said its Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf held a phone call with Belgium’s Maxime Prevot, though no additional details were provided.
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