If it’s no surprise, this thursday Security Council The United Nations will vote in favor of extending the mandate of its mission in Western Sahara (MINURSO) for another year. One of the unknowns is whether there are abstentions among the fifteen members of the Council currently presiding. Gabon. Over the past year, the United Nations mission has confirmed “low-intensity hostilities” in this area and complained of difficulties for its personnel to move around on the ground and perform observation missions.
In early October, the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterrespresented its report on the situation in this region and proposed an extension of his mandate for another year. “Despite this difficult situation, I continue to believe that a political solution to the Western Sahara problem is possible, provided that all interested parties participate in good faith and there is continued support from the international community,” said the Secretary-General. notice.
In his observations and recommendations, Guterres stated that “the still lack of an effective ceasefire threatens the stability of the region and risks escalation as long as hostilities continue”. He also asked Morocco. Polisario Front Facilities for MINURSO members to travel to areas near the wall dividing Western Sahara to document firsthand the situation in the region.
In his letter, during the past year “hostilities Low density, especially in the northern part of Western Sahara, between Morocco and the Polisario Front. Despite stating that Minurso “could not independently confirm the number and location of reported shooting incidents”.
One year of the Special Envoy
In the first year of his mandate, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Western Sahara, Staffan de Misturamet with the authorities of Morocco, Polisario Front, Algeria and Mauritania on various occasions. He also had several meetings with the Spanish Foreign Minister.
The report explains that De Mistura intends to visit Western Sahara during the month of July, but explains that the special envoy was informed that “the Moroccan Government will not be able to meet with representatives of the community about the situation of civil society and women’s organizations during this first visit”. the fact that caused his suspension, and he has not visited this area for the time being.
self-determination referendum
The Polisario Front criticized the Secretary-General’s report and in a letter sent to it accused Morocco of being responsible for ending the war. stop fire. “The Polisario Front regrets once again the complicit and unjustified silence of the United Nations Secretariat and its inexcusable reluctance to address events by their names,” said Brahim Ghali, President of Polisario.
In a statement released this week, the Polisario Front further argued that “the resumption of the peace operation in Western Sahara remains dependent on stopping the violation of the Saharan people’s inalienable right to self-determination.” Saharawi independence advocates claim that the only exit was a celebratory celebration. self-determination referendum They demand the United Nations to put in place the necessary mechanisms for this to happen.
autonomy plan
Morocco is only considering implementing a plan. autonomy for Western Sahara. In recent years, the Maghreb country has made great diplomatic efforts to get support from countries that recognize Moroccan sovereignty and autonomy over these lands. One of the most important moments for Rabat is that the former US president, donald trumprecognized the Moroccan nature of Western Sahara shortly before leaving the White House. Morocco has also enabled many countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Senegal or Gabon, among other allies, to open consulates in the Saharawi cities of El Aaiún and Dajla as a message of support for the Moroccan cause.
Last March, the president of Spain, Pedro Sanchez, sent a letter to Moroccan King Mohamed VI, in which he stated that Morocco’s proposal for autonomy in Western Sahara was “the most serious, reliable and realistic basis” for resolving the conflict within the framework of the United Nations. These words of the Spanish president served to rebuild the bridges between Rabat and Madrid after a year of diplomatic crisis.