Morocco Gains Strong International Support for its Sovereignty over the Sahara at the UN Human Rights Council
During the 59th session of the UN Human Rights Council, held in Geneva from June 16 to July 9, 2025, nearly forty countries expressed their firm support for Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara. This session was marked by broad backing for Morocco’s position on this key regional issue.
Ambassador Omar Zniber, Morocco’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, delivered a statement highlighting the Kingdom’s “constructive, voluntary, and deep interaction” with the United Nations’ human rights system. This approach reflects Morocco’s commitment to the multilateral framework.
Zniber emphasized Morocco’s long-standing commitment to promoting and respecting human rights throughout its national territory. This partnership is carried out in close cooperation with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), particularly under Agenda Item 2.
He also recalled that the UN Security Council’s resolutions have positively acknowledged the role of national and regional human rights commissions in Dakhla and Laayoune. Morocco’s cooperation with the HRC’s special procedure mechanisms has also been well received.
Moreover, the joint declaration by the forty states welcomed the opening of several consulates general in Dakhla and Laayoune, considering them as an important lever to strengthen economic cooperation and encourage investments benefiting local populations and regional and continental development.
Reiterating the Security Council’s position, the signatories described the Sahara issue as a “political dispute” and recognized the Moroccan autonomy initiative as a “credible and serious” proposal for a final settlement. They expressed support for reviving the UN-led political process, based on the two Geneva round tables and Security Council Resolution 2756 of October 31, 2024.
Finally, Ambassador Zniber stressed that resolving this regional conflict would contribute to the aspirations for unity, integration, and development among African and Arab peoples. He affirmed that Morocco is pursuing this objective with “sincere and ongoing efforts” in the service of regional stability and progress.