A United Nations report has placed Morocco’s autonomy initiative at the centre of efforts to resolve the Western Sahara dispute, giving fresh momentum to Rabat’s diplomatic strategy ahead of an expected Security Council vote at the end of October.
Dated October 1, 2026, the report by UN Secretary-General António Guterres highlights the progress made since Security Council Resolution 2797 was adopted in October 2025. Guterres states that genuine autonomy “could represent the most feasible outcome”, reinforcing the focus on a negotiated political solution.
Morocco’s autonomy plan leads the negotiations
In his report, Guterres urges the parties to explore “genuine autonomy” and engage in sustained, good-faith negotiations. He also points to Resolution 2797 as a turning point that gave new impetus to the UN-led political process.
A key development in 2026 has been the use of Morocco’s autonomy proposal as the basis for discussions. Three rounds of talks took place in Washington and Madrid during the first quarter, bringing together Morocco, the Polisario Front, Algeria and Mauritania.
The meetings marked a renewed effort to revive direct negotiations after nearly seven years without this format of dialogue. Algeria’s participation alongside the other parties also brought renewed attention to the diplomatic process.
UN and US push for a political roadmap
The report highlights cooperation between the United Nations and the United States to develop a roadmap towards a political settlement.
Discussions have covered practical aspects of autonomy, including a transitional council, international guarantees, resource-sharing arrangements, amnesty and reconciliation. These issues point to a focus on how a political framework could operate in practice.
Guterres recommends extending the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) for another year, until October 31, 2027, while taking account of progress in the political process. He also raises the possibility of adapting the mission’s role to support a transition.
Morocco’s diplomatic strategy gains momentum
For Rabat, the report reinforces its longstanding position that autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty offers a framework for resolving the dispute.
The timing is also significant. On October 31, Morocco will celebrate Aid Al Wahda, or Unity Day, for the first time, marking an occasion dedicated to national unity and territorial integrity.
The upcoming Security Council decision on MINURSO will be an important milestone. With autonomy at the centre of the latest diplomatic efforts, Morocco enters this stage with its proposal firmly established in the UN-led negotiating process, although a final settlement will still require agreement among the parties.
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