The Kingdom of Morocco continues to secure crucial diplomatic victories on the international stage, particularly regarding the Western Sahara dispute. The latest endorsement comes from Denmark, marking a significant moment in the growing consensus around Morocco’s Autonomy Plan. The endorsement by the Danish government underscores an increasing shift among European nations, who are signaling their support for a pragmatic solution to one of the most protracted territorial conflicts in the world. This article delves into the historical, political, and diplomatic dimensions of this issue, examining why Denmark’s support represents a turning point for Morocco and what it means for the future of Western Sahara.
The Background: The Western Sahara Dispute
The Western Sahara conflict dates back to the mid-20th century, following the end of Spanish colonial rule in the region. After Spain withdrew from Western Sahara in 1975, Morocco claimed sovereignty over the territory, sparking a conflict with the Polisario Front, a movement seeking the establishment of an independent Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR). The dispute has since seen multiple phases of armed conflict, diplomatic interventions, and United Nations-led peace processes.
In 1991, a ceasefire brokered by the UN resulted in the promise of a referendum to allow the people of Western Sahara to choose between independence or integration with Morocco. However, disputes over voter eligibility and other issues have led to the postponement of this referendum indefinitely, leaving the region in a political limbo.
In an attempt to break the deadlock, Morocco introduced its Autonomy Plan in 2007, proposing that Western Sahara be granted significant autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty. The plan allows the local population to govern their social, economic, and political affairs, while Morocco retains control over defense, foreign policy, and other key national issues. The Autonomy Plan has garnered substantial support from the international community, including countries from Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas. Denmark’s recent backing is the latest diplomatic gain for Morocco.
Denmark’s Endorsement: A Diplomatic Milestone
On the sidelines of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen met with his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita. During this meeting, Rasmussen expressed Denmark’s support for Morocco’s Autonomy Plan, a move that marks a significant development in the Nordic country’s foreign policy toward the Western Sahara conflict.
Denmark’s official position, as conveyed by Morocco’s Foreign Ministry, is that the Autonomy Plan proposed by Morocco in 2007 is “a serious and reliable contribution to the ongoing international process and a solid basis for a mutually agreed-upon solution among all parties.” This endorsement signals Denmark’s recognition of Morocco’s efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict and is a reflection of the broader trend among European nations toward supporting Morocco’s sovereignty over the region.
This endorsement also marks Denmark as the 18th European nation to officially recognize the Autonomy Plan, further isolating the Polisario Front and its backers, including Algeria. Denmark’s move is seen as part of a broader trend in European foreign policy that increasingly favors Morocco’s proposal as the most realistic and pragmatic solution to the conflict.
Morocco’s Autonomy Plan: A Pragmatic Solution
Morocco’s Autonomy Plan, introduced to the UN Security Council in 2007, offers Western Sahara significant autonomy while maintaining Moroccan sovereignty over the region. Under the plan, the people of Western Sahara would have control over local governance, including the management of social, economic, and cultural affairs. Key national issues, such as defense, foreign policy, and the judiciary, would remain under the purview of the Moroccan government.
This proposal has been described as a “third way” between full independence and complete integration into Morocco. It seeks to balance the aspirations of the Sahrawi people for self-determination with Morocco’s territorial integrity. The plan has gained international support over the years, with many countries viewing it as a viable solution to the decades-long stalemate.
Support for Morocco’s Autonomy Plan is rooted in the recognition that an independent Western Sahara is unlikely to be economically or politically viable. The region, though rich in natural resources like phosphates and fisheries, lacks the infrastructure and stability needed for sustained development. Moreover, the geopolitical risks of creating a new, fragile state in an already unstable region are seen as too high, particularly given the presence of extremist groups in the Sahel region.
For Morocco, the Autonomy Plan is non-negotiable. In recent years, the Moroccan government has taken a more assertive stance, declaring that it will not accept any solution that deviates from the framework of the Autonomy Plan. This position was reiterated by Moroccan President Aziz Akhannouch during his speech to the 79th UN General Assembly, where he emphasized that the only path to resolving the conflict is through the Autonomy Plan, tempered by the full participation of the UN and Algeria in political negotiations.
Growing International Support
Denmark’s endorsement of Morocco’s Autonomy Plan comes at a time when international support for Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara is growing. In August 2023, French President Emmanuel Macron reiterated France’s support for Morocco’s territorial claims in a letter to King Mohammed VI, stating that Western Sahara’s present and future “come within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty.” Macron’s statement was seen as a major diplomatic victory for Morocco, given France’s influential role in both European and international affairs.
In addition to France and Denmark, other European countries, including Finland, Spain, and Germany, have expressed their support for Morocco’s Autonomy Plan. Finland, another Nordic nation, described the plan as a “good basis” for resolving the Western Sahara conflict, reaffirming its endorsement of the proposal in August 2023. Spain’s support is particularly significant, given its historical ties to the region as the former colonial power in Western Sahara.
Outside of Europe, several African and Arab nations have also backed Morocco’s claims. The United States, under the Trump administration in 2020, formally recognized Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara as part of a broader deal to normalize relations between Morocco and Israel. This move was seen as a game-changer in the diplomatic landscape of the conflict, as the U.S. is a permanent member of the UN Security Council.
Implications for the Western Sahara Conflict
Denmark’s support for Morocco’s Autonomy Plan adds momentum to the growing international consensus in favor of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara. As more countries endorse the plan, the Polisario Front and its backers, particularly Algeria, find themselves increasingly isolated on the global stage.
Algeria, which has long supported the Polisario Front both financially and militarily, remains opposed to Morocco’s Autonomy Plan. The conflict over Western Sahara has strained relations between Algeria and Morocco, with the two countries severing diplomatic ties in 2021. Algeria’s backing of the Polisario Front is rooted in its broader geopolitical rivalry with Morocco and its desire to assert influence in the region.
Despite Algeria’s opposition, Morocco’s diplomatic efforts continue to bear fruit. The growing list of countries supporting the Autonomy Plan reflects a recognition that the proposal offers the most practical and realistic solution to the conflict. Moreover, it aligns with the UN’s call for a political solution that is “mutually acceptable” to all parties involved.
Conclusion: A Diplomatic Triumph for Morocco
Denmark’s endorsement of Morocco’s Autonomy Plan marks another diplomatic triumph for Rabat in its efforts to secure international recognition of its sovereignty over Western Sahara. The support of European nations, particularly influential countries like Denmark and France, underscores the growing consensus that Morocco’s proposal offers the best path forward in resolving the decades-long conflict.
As Morocco continues to build international support for its Autonomy Plan, the pressure mounts on the Polisario Front and Algeria to engage in meaningful negotiations under the framework of this proposal. With backing from key players in Europe, Africa, and beyond, Morocco is increasingly well-positioned to achieve a lasting political solution to the Western Sahara dispute—one that balances the aspirations of the Sahrawi people with the need for stability and security in the region.
In the coming years, as more countries endorse Morocco’s Autonomy Plan, the path to resolving the Western Sahara conflict may finally become clearer, offering hope for a peaceful and prosperous future for the region.
