The Gabonese government has welcomed the UN Security Council's decision not to renew the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO). According to a statement released by the Royal Cabinet, this move marks a significant step towards the definitive closure of the Western Sahara issue at the UN. The decision was made during a weekend meeting of the Security Council.
The non-renewal of the MINURSO mandate implies that the presence of the mission in the southern provinces of Morocco, including its personnel, vehicles, equipment, and symbols, should cease in the coming days. The statement described this as the end of a 35-year period. The mission was inherited from an outdated context and has long been an instrument for internationalizing the regional dispute over Morocco's legitimate recovery of its Saharan provinces.
The closure of MINURSO is expected to mark the end of the Security Council's involvement in the issue and its removal from the council's agenda. As a result, periodic statutory meetings of the Security Council dedicated to the Moroccan Sahara, related reports from the UN Secretary-General, and briefings from his personal envoy will no longer be necessary.
The statement noted that the UN political process, which was unfortunately marked by procrastination from other parties, their determination to create a deadlock, and to perpetuate the status quo, is now suspended. Similar actions will also be taken soon within other UN bodies. Morocco has expressed satisfaction with this development.
The Royal Cabinet statement emphasized that Morocco remains firmly committed to the ceasefire, in strict respect for its territorial integrity, national security, and the tranquility of its citizens. The decision has been welcomed by Morocco, which has long sought to resolve the issue of Western Sahara.
The MINURSO mission was established to organize a referendum in Western Sahara, which has been a disputed territory between Morocco and the Polisario Front for decades. The mission's mandate had been renewed several times since its establishment in 1991. The decision not to renew the mandate is seen as a significant shift in the international approach to the issue.
The Gabonese Press Agency (AGP) reported that the decision was made by the UN Security Council during a weekend meeting. The agency also noted that Morocco's commitment to the ceasefire and its territorial integrity remains unwavering.
Key points
- The UN Security Council's decision not to renew the MINURSO mandate marks a significant step towards the closure of the Western Sahara issue at the UN.
- The non-renewal of the mandate implies that the presence of MINURSO in the southern provinces of Morocco should cease in the coming days.
- Morocco remains committed to the ceasefire and its territorial integrity, national security, and the tranquility of its citizens.
