Moroccan Sahara: 4 Gulf countries renew their support at the United Nations

Four Gulf countries, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait, renewed their support for Morocco's autonomy initiative in the Moroccan Sahara and for its territorial integrity, during separate speeches delivered by their representatives to the Fourth Committee of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, on Saturday, October 10, 2026, within the framework of the annual discussion of the Ad Hoc Committee on decolonization issues. Positions of the four countries The representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia stressed that the autonomy initiative enjoys respect for Morocco's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and is in accordance with the law and the UN Charter, noting that it has already been welcomed by the UN Security Council. He called on all parties concerned to show "wisdom, realism" and a spirit of compromise to reach a realistic political solution that contributes to the security and stability of the region. For its part, Bahrain renewed its "firm position" in support of Morocco's sovereignty, territorial integrity and autonomy initiative, while Qatar affirmed its support for Morocco's sovereignty, territorial integrity and autonomy initiative in the Sahara. Kuwait, on the other hand, expressed its support for the Moroccan autonomy plan in the southern provinces of the Kingdom, praising the adoption by the Security Council of a resolution in this direction. Context: Security Council Resolution 2797 These positions come about a year after the UN Security Council adopted, on October 31, 2025, Resolution 2797, which considered the Moroccan autonomy initiative a serious and credible basis for finding a political solution to the Sahara conflict, a path that Morocco continues to promote by mobilizing Arab and international support. Why this support matters The annual discussions of the Fourth Committee usually see positions from dozens of countries on the issue of However, the coincidence of the words of four Gulf countries in one session reflects the continuation of Arab coordination on the issue, and strengthens Morocco's diplomatic position at a time when the UN Special Envoy continues his consultations with the parties concerned with the file. These positions coincide with statements made by UN Special Envoy for the Sahara Staffan de Mistura before the Security Council on October 8, during which he addressed the features of his proposal on autonomy, at a time when Morocco is continuing its diplomatic tours to mobilize more international recognition initiative from different regional groups.