UN Security Council: A favorable reshuffle for Morocco that strengthens its territorial integrity
Since January 1, the United Nations Security Council has entered a new cycle with the arrival of five non permanent members: Bahrain, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Latvia and Colombia. A reshuffle that is far from insignificant for the Kingdom of Morocco, as the Council remains the central arena where the final settlement of the artificial dispute over the Moroccan Sahara is being decided.
A diplomatic configuration clearly favorable to Rabat:
This new composition represents a major strategic gain for Morocco. Three of the new members, Bahrain, the DRC and Liberia, openly and clearly recognize Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara. This position is not limited to diplomatic statements, but has been translated into the opening of consulates in Laayoune and Dakhla, strong political acts that reflect a concrete alignment with the Moroccan vision.
This explicit support significantly strengthens the Kingdom’s weight in United Nations decision making circles and further contributes to isolating the separatist narratives promoted by the Polisario and its Algerian sponsor, whose influence continues to erode on the international stage.
The primacy of autonomy, now firmly established:
Morocco enters this new phase with a clear advantage: the latest Security Council resolutions have established the Moroccan autonomy initiative as the only serious, credible and realistic basis for a lasting political solution. It is no longer one option among others, but the central reference framework for discussions, as confirmed by Resolution 2797.
Rabat also benefits from the constant support of influential permanent members of the Council, while several states are now adopting a benevolent neutrality, breaking with the ideological postures of the past.
Key presidencies under close attention:
The presidency of the Security Council in April 2026 will be held by Bahrain, a strategic ally of Morocco on the Sahara issue. This period will coincide with the briefing by the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary General, a decisive moment to consolidate gains and maintain pressure in favor of a political process based on autonomy.
In October, Greece will preside over the Council during the review and adoption of the next resolution. Rabat can rely on the strength of its bilateral relations with Athens, which for several years has considered the Moroccan autonomy plan to be a serious and credible initiative, aligning with increasingly convergent European positions.
The recognition of the Moroccan nature of the Sahara by a growing number of states, including in Africa, Latin America and Europe, further increases the isolation of the Polisario. Colombia and Latvia, without being declared supporters, express no hostility toward the autonomy initiative, which helps to durably rebalance positions within the Council.
Translated from Abderrazzak Boussaid’s French article – le7tv
