US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz addressed the UN Security Council on Friday, expressing concerns over the MINURSO mission in Western Sahara. He stated that the mission, which was not renewed, has become a "fixed symbol of a project doomed to fail." Waltz emphasized that the US cannot support the renewal of missions that have not achieved or are unable to achieve results. The MINURSO mission has been in place for 35 years.
Waltz highlighted that the MINURSO mission has not achieved its primary objective since its inception. He noted that the mission spends around 80% of its time on logistics and replenishment. In 2002, former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan proposed ending the MINURSO mission to the Security Council. Waltz expressed disappointment that despite this, the situation remains unchanged. Thousands of people are still living in refugee camps in Tindouf, Algeria.
The humanitarian situation in the Tindouf camps is dire, with alarming rates of anemia and stunted growth among children. According to UN data, two-thirds of children under five suffer from anemia, and a third experience stunted growth. Only 10% of children receive the minimum acceptable nutrition. Waltz lamented that a whole generation has grown up in these camps. The US Ambassador urged the international community to address the situation.
Waltz called for a new approach to resolving the Western Sahara conflict. He emphasized that maintaining the status quo would lead to a new generation growing up in the same conditions. The US Ambassador encouraged continued diplomatic efforts, citing the efforts of President Donald Trump in bringing the parties back to the negotiating table. The UN and the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General are also involved in the process.
Waltz stressed that the international community should not give up on finding a solution. He urged the adoption of a new approach to address the Western Sahara conflict. The US Ambassador's comments reflect the US government's concerns about the effectiveness of the MINURSO mission. The mission's mandate was not renewed due to the concerns raised by the US and other countries.
The Western Sahara conflict has been ongoing for decades, with Morocco and the Polisario Front being the main parties involved. The conflict has resulted in thousands of people living in refugee camps in Algeria. The international community, including the UN, has been working to find a solution to the conflict. A new approach is needed to break the stalemate and find a lasting solution.
The US Ambassador's statement reflects the US government's commitment to finding a solution to the Western Sahara conflict. The international community is expected to continue diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict. A new approach is necessary to address the humanitarian situation in the Tindouf camps and to find a lasting solution to the conflict. The situation in Western Sahara remains a pressing concern for the international community.
Key points
- The US Ambassador to the UN criticized the MINURSO mission, saying it has become a symbol of a failed project.
- The humanitarian situation in the Tindouf camps is dire, with alarming rates of anemia and stunted growth among children.
- The US Ambassador called for a new approach to resolving the Western Sahara conflict.
