Settlement Plan

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This article is part of the series: The Western Sahara conflict Western Sahara

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The Settlement Plan was an agreement between the Polisario Front and Morocco on the organization of a referendum, which would constitute an expression of self-determination for the Sahrawi people of the non-decolonized territory of Western Sahara, possibly leading to full independence. It resulted in a cease-fire which remains effective to this day, and the establishment of the MINURSO peace force to oversee it and to organize the referendum.

It was based on an earlier peace proposal by the Organization of African Unity (OAU), but this time organized by the United Nations. Originally introduced in the late 1980s, the plan was signed in 1991. The referendum was then supposed take place in 1992, but this never happened, as Polisario protested the influx of Moroccan settlers to the territory, and disagreements over voter eligibility persisted. In 1997, the UN's Houston Agreement attempted to clear the path for the referendum to be held in 1998. Despite initial optimism, the 2003 Baker Plan has not progressed, due to Morocco's rejection of said plan. Also, James A. Baker III has resigned his post as U.N. Envoy to Western Sahara.