Rabat, Morocco — In a historic move, Morocco’s Royal Palace has announced that October 31 will be observed annually as a national holiday, commemorating the adoption of a UN Security Council resolution endorsing the Kingdom’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara. The observance will begin next year, marking a new chapter in Morocco’s decades-long pursuit of a peaceful and lasting solution to the regional dispute.
The UN Security Council resolution, adopted last Friday, described Morocco’s autonomy initiative as “a most feasible and credible solution” to the long-standing conflict over Western Sahara. The resolution reflects growing international support for Rabat’s proposal, which grants the territory self-governance under Moroccan sovereignty while ensuring respect for local institutions and human rights.
The decision comes as a reaffirmation of His Majesty King Mohammed VI’s unwavering commitment to peace, stability, and development in the region. The Royal Palace emphasized that the national holiday will serve as a symbol of unity, sovereignty, and Morocco’s continued engagement with the international community in seeking a pragmatic and forward-looking resolution.
For nearly five decades, Morocco has faced challenges from the Algeria-backed Polisario Front, which seeks to establish an independent state in the territory. Rabat’s autonomy plan — first presented to the UN in 2007 — has since gained broad international recognition as a realistic and balanced framework for resolving the conflict.
Diplomatic observers say the Security Council’s latest decision represents a turning point in the international approach to the Western Sahara issue, aligning global consensus around Morocco’s sovereignty and regional integration vision.
The declaration of October 31 as a national holiday is expected to be celebrated nationwide as a day of national pride, honoring Morocco’s diplomacy, unity, and progress under the leadership of King Mohammed VI.
BY: The Times Union
