On Sunday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated that the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) was established to protect the Sahrawi people and enable them to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination. Guterres' statement was read by his spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, at the UN headquarters in New York. The Secretary-General emphasized that MINURSO has played a pivotal role in monitoring the ceasefire and creating conditions for a political solution to the Western Sahara conflict since its inception in 1991.
Guterres clarified that MINURSO's establishment was based on the principles of protecting the Sahrawi people, particularly allowing them to exercise their right to self-determination. He stressed that the non-renewal of MINURSO's mandate does not negate this inalienable right. The Secretary-General called on all parties to respect and promote the rights of the Sahrawi people. This statement comes after the UN Security Council decided not to extend MINURSO's mandate.
The UN Secretary-General reaffirmed the organization's commitment to supporting parties to reach a fair, lasting, and acceptable political solution that ensures the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination. Guterres expressed the UN's readiness to continue supporting efforts for a peaceful dialogue and settlement of the conflict through his Personal Envoy to Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura.
Guterres emphasized that the end of MINURSO's peacekeeping operations does not signify the cessation of UN efforts to achieve a peaceful solution to the conflict. He stated that the UN is prepared to continue supporting dialogue and political settlement between the parties to the conflict through Staffan de Mistura. The Secretary-General's statement reflects the UN's continued commitment to resolving the Western Sahara conflict.
The Western Sahara conflict has been a longstanding issue, with the Sahrawi people seeking self-determination. The UN has been involved in efforts to resolve the conflict, including the establishment of MINURSO in 1991. The mission's primary objective was to organize a referendum to determine the future of Western Sahara. However, a solution has yet to be achieved.
The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) has been recognized by some African countries, but its status remains disputed. The African Union has been involved in efforts to resolve the conflict, including the appointment of a special envoy. The international community continues to seek a peaceful solution to the Western Sahara conflict.
The UN Secretary-General's statement serves as a reminder of the organization's commitment to the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination. Guterres' emphasis on the non-renewal of MINURSO's mandate not negating the Sahrawi people's inalienable rights is crucial in the context of ongoing efforts to resolve the Western Sahara conflict.
Key points
- The UN Secretary-General stresses that the non-renewal of MINURSO's mandate does not cancel the Sahrawi people's inalienable right to self-determination.
