Summary:

On 31 October 2025, the United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution backing Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara as a “realistic and viable” framework for resolving the long-standing territorial dispute.  

Drafted by the United States, the resolution passed with eleven votes in favor, while Russia, China, and Pakistan abstained, and Algeria, a supporter of the Polisario Front, did not participate. The UN also renewed the mandate of the UN peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara (MINURSO) for another year.   

Morocco welcomed the decision as a major diplomatic triumph, seeing it as international validation of its sovereignty claims and a reinforcement of its efforts to consolidate control over the territory. Algeria, however, denounced the resolution, with Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf insisting that Morocco had failed to impose its autonomy plan as the sole solution and calling on the US to act as a neutral mediator. The vote underscores the enduring polarization over Western Sahara and the difficulty of achieving a settlement acceptable to both sides.  

Tunisian foreign policy, long characterized by non-alignment on Western Sahara, has shifted in recent years toward closer ties with Algeria. This change became especially visible in 2022, when President Kaïs Saïed hosted Polisario leader Brahim Ghali at an international summit, prompting Morocco to recall its ambassador. Diplomatic relations with Rabat have since cooled down, while support from Algiers has grown through financial aid, energy cooperation, and strategic coordination.   

Unconfirmed reports from traditionally pro-Moroccan sources suggest that Algerian-backed Polisario officials have entered Tunisia in recent months to help safeguard the Saïed administration amid rising domestic unrest, highlighting the intertwining of regional influence and internal political stability.  

Outlook: 

The Security Council’s endorsement strengthens Morocco’s regional leverage, solidifying its role as the dominant interlocutor on Western Sahara and reinforcing its ability to shape negotiations with the Polisario Front.   

At the same time, Algeria faces a setback to its influence, challenging its position as protector of Sahrawi self-determination and potentially prompting it to seek alternative alliances or intensify support for the Polisario movement. The long-standing rivalry between Rabat and Algiers could escalate, with tensions spilling across borders and affecting the broader Maghreb region.  

Amid these dynamics, Tunisia is placed in a delicate position. No official declaration has been made regarding its stance, leaving the country to balance between Algeria, its longstanding regional ally, and Morocco, with which it has deep historical and cultural ties. A clear tilt toward Algeria could signal a break from Tunisia’s tradition of non-alignment, while maintaining neutrality may be necessary to rehabilitate strained relations with Rabat. Navigating this environment will require careful diplomacy, as the resolution has heightened the stakes for regional stability and could influence Tunisia’s role in Maghreb politics, cross-border security, and broader economic cooperation.  

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