UN Chief Reiterates Saharawi Self-Determination Rights Amid Mission End
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UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated on Sunday that the end of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) does not invalidate the Saharawi people's inalienable right to self-determination.
Guterres, speaking through his spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric from the UN headquarters in New York, reiterated the UN's commitment to supporting a political solution to the Western Sahara conflict. He emphasized that the end of MINURSO's mandate does not negate the Saharawi people's right to self-determination, and called on all parties to respect and uphold these rights.
The UN Secretary-General highlighted that MINURSO, established in 1991, has played a crucial role in monitoring the ceasefire and creating conditions for a political settlement. He underscored the UN's continued support for efforts to achieve a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable political solution that guarantees the Saharawi people's right to self-determination.
Guterres also reaffirmed the UN's readiness to continue supporting dialogue and political settlement efforts between the conflicting parties through its Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura. He stated that the end of MINURSO's peacekeeping operations does not signal a halt to the UN's efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
The UN Secretary-General's statement comes amidst growing tensions and uncertainty surrounding the future of the Western Sahara conflict. The end of MINURSO's mandate has raised concerns about the potential for renewed hostilities and the impact on the Saharawi people's right to self-determination.
MINURSO was established in 1991 to oversee a ceasefire agreement between Morocco and the Polisario Front, and to organize a referendum on the territory's future. However, the referendum has yet to take place, and the conflict remains unresolved. The UN's efforts to achieve a political solution have been ongoing for decades, with various proposals and initiatives aimed at resolving the conflict and guaranteeing the Saharawi people's right to self-determination.
Guterres' statement underscores the UN's commitment to supporting a political solution to the Western Sahara conflict, and its readiness to continue efforts to achieve a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable resolution. The UN Secretary-General's remarks also highlight the importance of respecting and upholding the Saharawi people's right to self-determination, and the need for all parties to work towards a peaceful and sustainable resolution to the conflict.
The UN's efforts to achieve a political solution to the Western Sahara conflict are ongoing, with various proposals and initiatives aimed at resolving the conflict and guaranteeing the Saharawi people's right to self-determination. The end of MINURSO's mandate does not signal a halt to these efforts, and the UN remains committed to supporting dialogue and political settlement efforts between the conflicting parties.
