Western Sahara: 40 Countries Back Morocco's Autonomy Plan

A group of 40 countries reaffirmed, through a statement delivered by Ambassador Omar Zniber, Morocco's Permanent Representative to the UN Office in Geneva, their full support for Morocco's autonomy plan as a solution to the Western Sahara dispute. The statement was delivered on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, on the second day of the 63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, under agenda item 2 covering the report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

What Zniber Said on Behalf of the 40 Countries

Speaking for the group, Zniber stressed that "genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty could represent the most realistic and implementable solution" to the Sahara dispute. The 40 countries expressed support for implementing UN Security Council Resolution 2797, adopted on October 31, 2025, which aims to revive the political process by organizing negotiations among the four parties based on the autonomy initiative Morocco presented in 2007, in pursuit of a "final political solution acceptable to all parties."

Support for the Updated Plan and Tindouf Camp Residents' Integration

The group also welcomed what it described as Morocco's "update and elaboration of its autonomy plan," as well as Rabat's commitment to ensuring the return and integration of Tindouf camp residents on an equal footing with other Moroccan citizens. Zniber said resolving the dispute would meet Arab and African aspirations for development and stability.

Why This Statement Matters

The collective declaration comes just days after Denmark announced its own individual support for the autonomy plan, reflecting a steadily widening base of countries backing Morocco's position since the adoption of Resolution 2797. The number of countries now backing this stance — 40 in a single joint statement at the Human Rights Council — signals growing international diplomatic momentum around the Moroccan proposal ahead of the resumption of political negotiations among the four parties.