Adopted on October 31, 2025, UN Security Council Resolution 2797 could redefine the Western Sahara conflict, according to a report by academic David Alvarado. This resolution, backed by the United States and marked by the abstention of Russia and China, strengthens Morocco's position on the international stage while further isolating the Polisario and Algeria. DR ‹ › Resolution 2797, adopted on October 31, 2025, by the United Nations Security Council, marks a significant turning point in the handling of the Sahara conflict. This is the main conclusion of a report published by David Alvarado, a Spanish academic and journalist with extensive experience in Morocco, who analyzes recent developments in light of shifting geopolitical dynamics. The resolution was adopted with 11 votes in favor, while Russia and China abstained, signaling their intent to avoid direct confrontation with Washington on this sensitive issue. In his analysis, Alvarado argues that the vote reflects a broader strategic realignment. The United States, he notes, is seeking to deepen its partnership with Morocco, which it considers a key ally in North Africa. An Irreversible Setback for Algiers and the Polisario According to the report, this development fits into a wider U.S. regional repositioning strategy and the strengthening of strategic alliances. Under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, Morocco is benefiting from growing international support, particularly from several European countries. By contrast, the report highlights the diplomatic weakening of Algeria and the Polisario. Although Moscow and Beijing maintain ties with Algiers, they are prioritizing their global strategic interests and avoiding direct opposition to the United States on this matter, contributing to what Alvarado describes as the Polisario's relative isolation on the international stage. The document further notes that this evolution is unfolding amid persistent regional rivalry between Morocco and Algeria, marked by diplomatic tensions, growing military competition, and indirect confrontations, notably in the Sahel and in cyberspace. Alvarado outlines three possible scenarios for future developments. The first, and, in his view, the most likely, is a gradual consolidation of Moroccan control alongside expanding international recognition of Morocco's autonomy plan. An Undeniable Advantage for Morocco The second scenario envisions potential military escalation, which could further destabilize the region. The third foresees renewed negotiations under international pressure, possibly leading to a political settlement based on autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty. The author concludes that Resolution 2797 illustrates a broader return to power politics and spheres of influence, with major powers prioritizing strategic alliances over strictly legalistic approaches. The report was published ahead of the first round of discussions on the Sahara issue, held on February 8 and 9 at the U.S. Embassy in Madrid under the auspices of President Donald Trump's administration.
