UN Security Council Resolution 2797 marked a decisive turning point. By explicitly placing Morocco’s autonomy plan at the center of the political process, it effectively sidelined the separatist referendum narrative that the Polisario had relied on for decades.
Against this backdrop, the Polisario delegation’s trip to Washington looks like a last-ditch attempt to counter this momentum. Its failure was immediate and tangible, especially in the Tindouf camps, where political stagnation and social hardship are fueling rising discontent.
Autonomy as the new international standard
The most damaging development for the Polisario is not merely the resolution itself, but the new global understanding of self-determination: no longer synonymous with secession, it is increasingly interpreted as meaningful self-governance within existing states.
Morocco has succeeded in turning its 2007 autonomy initiative into a UN-backed reference, while the separatist project remains trapped in an outdated and unrealistic vision of international law.
When propaganda replaces politics
By exaggerating and distorting the outcome of its Washington contacts, the Polisario has only highlighted its own weakness. In contrast, Morocco continues to build real political capital through international legitimacy, legal consistency, and diplomatic engagement.
Conclusion
Between the failed Washington maneuver and the solid legal framework of Resolution 2797, two paths are now clearly visible:
a Moroccan project rooted in realism, sovereignty, and international support,
and a separatist project sustained by illusion and strategic paralysis.
The verdict is unmistakable:
Morocco’s autonomy plan is no longer one option among many—it has become the solution.
