Rabat — France and the US have welcomed the adoption of Resolution 2797, recognizing Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as a genuine political solution to end the dispute over Western Sahara.

The French embassy today said the adoption marks an important step in resolving the Western Sahara dispute, noting that the resolution differs in several respects from those adopted in recent years.

“The resolution states that the personal envoy of the Secretary–General will conduct negotiations based on Morocco’s autonomy proposal,” the embassy said.

Jerome Bonnafont, France’s permanent representative to the UN, said following the vote that Moroccan Autonomy under Morocco’s sovereignty constitutes the only basis for achieving a fair, lasting, and negotiated political solution, in accordance with the Council’s resolutions.

The French representative stressed that it was important for the council to seize this momentum, describing the resolution as a “collective success.”

French ambassador to Morocco Christophe Lecourtier commended the adoption of the resolution, describing it as an important milestone.

He said that the resolution concludes long months of Morocco’s diplomatic efforts.

The US also welcomed the resolution, extending thanks to those who engaged in the draft.

“We’ve made a sustained and genuine effort to incorporate everyone’s proposals – and they were quite numerous – from across the Council,” US representative to the UN Mike Waltz said following the vote.

He also urged all parties to use the coming weeks to come to the table and engage in serious discussions, using Morocco’s credible and realistic Autonomy Plan as the only basis for a just and lasting solution to the dispute.

“We believe regional peace is possible this year, and we will make every effort to facilitate progress towards this shared goal of peace and prosperity for the people of Western Sahara,” Waltz said.