Morocco's Foreign Minister, Nasser Bourita, has stated that the United Nations' MINURSO mission will completely withdraw from Morocco once its tasks are completed. This development comes after the UN acknowledged the difficulty of organizing a referendum in Western Sahara over two decades ago. The current context no longer warrants the mission's original objectives, according to Bourita. He made these remarks during a TV program broadcast on the second channel.
Bourita emphasized that the MINURSO mission's name no longer reflects the current situation on the ground. The "R" in its name, which stands for "referendum," has lost its relevance. He noted that the mission was created in a different international context and that the file has entered a new phase, characterized by growing international dynamics around Morocco's autonomy initiative under Moroccan sovereignty.
The Foreign Minister stressed that the tasks for which MINURSO was created have become outdated, particularly in light of developments on the ground following the events in Guerguerat and the continued violations of the ceasefire agreement. He argued that the mission has not been playing a balanced role in monitoring the situation and that its continuation in its current form does not contribute to finding a solution to the conflict.
According to Bourita, the MINURSO mission currently employs 43 observers to monitor the situation on the other side, which he considers an indicator of an imbalance in the mission's performance. He stated that the mission has ceased to be part of the solution and has instead become a "burden." The American project aimed to bring about a significant change in the mission's name and tasks, abandoning the logic of a referendum and revising its working methods.
Bourita revealed that the practical implications of these changes include the departure of around 300 mission personnel from Moroccan territory and the removal of symbols associated with the mission's previous name and tasks. He emphasized that the recent developments in the Security Council reflect a shift in the international approach to the issue, which no longer retains the international character it had in the past.
The Foreign Minister highlighted that the mission's current working methods are inherited from a previous era and no longer align with the transformations in the file. He noted that the mission was previously used for purposes that no longer match the current developments. The changes aim to adapt the mission to the new realities on the ground.
The withdrawal of the MINURSO mission marks a significant shift in the international handling of the Western Sahara issue. Morocco is moving forward with its autonomy initiative under Moroccan sovereignty, while the international community seems to be acknowledging the change in the situation on the ground. The future of the region remains a subject of interest and attention from various parties involved.
Key points
- The UN's MINURSO mission will leave Morocco after its tasks became obsolete.
- The mission's name and tasks will be revised to reflect the new realities on the ground.
- Around 300 personnel will depart from Moroccan territory as part of the changes.
