South Africa
South Africa has voiced strong disappointment following the United Nations Security Council’s renewal of the mandate for the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) until 31 October 2026. In a statement delivered by Deputy Permanent Representative Marthinus van Schalkwyk at a UN Security Council press stakeout on 31 October 2025, the country criticised the resolution for favouring the Moroccan Autonomy Proposal while neglecting the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination. This decision, embodied in Resolution 2797, has highlighted ongoing divisions within the Council, with South Africa advocating for direct negotiations between Morocco and the Polisario Front to achieve a lasting solution. As the last remaining colony on the African continent, Western Sahara’s status continues to fuel calls for decolonisation and fair processes, amid concerns that the renewed mandate falls short of facilitating a genuine referendum.
Renewal of MINURSO Mandate Amid Global Tensions
The UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2797 on 31 October 2025, extending MINURSO’s mandate for another year to oversee a potential referendum on Western Sahara’s future. Established in 1991, MINURSO aims to monitor the ceasefire between Morocco and the Polisario Front and organise a self-determination vote for the Sahrawi people. However, the mission has faced criticism for its limited progress, with no referendum held in over three decades.
The US-backed resolution endorses Morocco’s autonomy plan as the “most feasible solution,” a stance that has drawn praise from some quarters but sharp rebuke from others. The vote came after last-minute negotiations, reflecting deep divisions among Council members. While the US expressed gratitude for the constructive engagement and emphasised the need for a realistic compromise, critics argue it sidelines the Sahrawi right to independence.
This renewal follows a period of heightened diplomatic activity, including talks initiated by the UN Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, who has been pushing for resumed negotiations. The mandate extension to October 2026 provides a window for further diplomacy, but without concrete steps toward a referendum, tensions may persist.
South Africa’s Critique: A Call for Self-Determination
In his stakeout remarks, van Schalkwyk expressed South Africa’s disappointment, noting that while UN resolutions since 2007 have acknowledged the Moroccan Autonomy Proposal, they have increasingly supported negotiations based solely on this plan. “We would like to express our disappointment, however, that while UN Security Council resolutions since 2007 have recognized and acknowledged both the Moroccan Autonomy Proposal, and that of the Sahrawi people, the latest resolution has taken the unfortunate step of supporting for conducting negotiations based only on the Moroccan Plan, while neglecting the self-determination and proposals of the Sahrawi people,” he said.
Van Schalkwyk emphasised that Western Sahara remains Africa’s last colony, and self-determination is paramount. “Western Sahara is the last remaining colony on the African continent. South Africa maintains that the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara is paramount,” he stated. He reiterated support for de Mistura’s efforts and called for urgent steps through MINURSO to hold the long-promised referendum.
South Africa advocates for a non-inclusive peace process without preconditions, urging direct talks between Morocco and the Polisario Front. “It cannot be resolved through a non-inclusive peace process with preconditions for negotiations, such as using Morocco’s proposal as the ‘only framework’ to negotiate a mutually acceptable solution,” van Schalkwyk added. He handed over to Polisario Front representative Sidi Mohamed Omar, underscoring solidarity with the Sahrawi cause.
Historical Context of the Western Sahara Dispute
The Western Sahara conflict dates back to 1975 when Morocco annexed the territory following Spain’s withdrawal, leading to a war with the Polisario Front, which seeks independence. A 1991 ceasefire promised a referendum on self-determination, but it has never materialised due to disputes over voter eligibility and the territory’s status.
Morocco proposes autonomy under its sovereignty, while the Polisario demands a vote including independence as an option. The region remains divided, with Morocco controlling most of the resource-rich area and the Polisario administering a sliver backed by Algeria. Over 100,000 Sahrawi refugees live in camps in Algeria, highlighting the humanitarian crisis.
South Africa’s stance aligns with its foreign policy of supporting decolonisation and self-determination, rooted in its own history of apartheid resistance. The country has consistently backed the Polisario and called for MINURSO to fulfil its mandate.
International Reactions and Divisions
The resolution’s adoption revealed splits in the Council. The US praised it for promoting a “realistic, lasting, and mutually acceptable political solution,” aligning with Morocco’s plan. However, countries like Algeria and Russia abstained or criticised the text for bias. Algeria, a key Polisario ally, argued it undermines the referendum process.
Human rights groups have urged the Council to include human rights monitoring in MINURSO’s mandate, a proposal rejected in the final text. Amnesty International and others report ongoing abuses in the territory, including restrictions on freedom of expression.
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