Morocco considers the territory as its own and is pitted against the Algeria-backed Polisario Front, which seeks an independent state.  The autonomy plan, first presented by Morocco to the United Nations in 2007, would establish a local legislative, executive, and judicial authority for Western Sahara elected by its residents, while Rabat would control defense, foreign affairs, and religion. The Polisario instead wants to hold a referendum with independence as an option.

–Reuters–