Morocco's proposed autonomy plan for Western Sahara has garnered increasing international backing, with several countries opening consulates in the disputed region. The plan, which offers self-governance under Moroccan sovereignty, has been endorsed by the United States and other nations as a serious and credible solution to the decades-long conflict.
Algeria, a key supporter of the Polisario Front, has strongly opposed the plan, accusing Morocco of violating international law and the right to self-determination of the Sahrawi people. Algerian officials have called for a UN-supervised referendum, a process that has stalled since the 1991 ceasefire.
The dispute has escalated tensions in the Maghreb region, with Algeria severing diplomatic ties with Morocco in 2021. Recent developments, including Morocco's growing diplomatic wins, have further strained relations, leading to heated exchanges between the two North African rivals.
International observers note that the autonomy plan has shifted the diplomatic landscape, with more African and European countries expressing support for Morocco's position. However, the UN continues to call for a negotiated political solution acceptable to all parties.
