On October 9, 2026, Algerian political affairs expert Ahmed Mizab stated that a recent UN report on Western Sahara highlights the Sahrawi people's inalienable right to self-determination. According to Mizab, this right is a fundamental reference point for the UN's approach to the issue. The report, submitted by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, underscores that the core of the Western Sahara question lies in the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination.
Mizab emphasized that the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination is a cornerstone of the UN's approach to the Western Sahara issue. He noted that any political solution must take into account the Sahrawi people's will and cannot preempt the outcome of their right to self-determination. The expert stressed that the Western Sahara issue is not merely a political or regional dispute but a decolonization matter that has been on the UN agenda for decades.
The UN report on Western Sahara expresses concern about the human rights situation in the occupied territory. Mizab highlighted the importance of extending the mandate of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), which demonstrates the UN's continued responsibility towards the issue. He also emphasized the need to distinguish between the parties to the conflict and neighboring countries.
Mizab noted that Algeria, as a neighboring country, supports the UN process and reaffirms its commitment to the principles of international law and the right of peoples to self-determination. He stressed that the international community must ensure that any solution to the Western Sahara issue allows the Sahrawi people to exercise their right to self-determination freely and without conditions.
The expert stated that the recent UN report is not just a technical renewal of MINURSO's mandate but a reaffirmation that the Western Sahara issue remains unresolved, legally and politically. Mizab emphasized that the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination is inalienable and must be exercised freely, in accordance with international law.
Guterres' report also expresses concern about the human rights situation in Western Sahara. Mizab highlighted the need for a just, lasting, and definitive solution to the issue, which can only be achieved by allowing the Sahrawi people to exercise their right to self-determination. The expert stressed that the international community has a responsibility to ensure that the Sahrawi people's rights are protected.
The Western Sahara issue remains a pressing concern for the international community. Mizab's statements highlight the importance of upholding the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination and ensuring that any solution to the issue is in line with international law. The UN's continued involvement in the issue demonstrates its commitment to finding a just and lasting solution.
Key points
- The Sahrawi people's right to self-determination is a fundamental reference point for the UN's approach to the Western Sahara issue.
- The UN report on Western Sahara emphasizes the need for a just, lasting, and definitive solution that takes into account the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination.
- Algeria supports the UN process and reaffirms its commitment to the principles of international law and the right of peoples to self-determination.
