The United States has reiterated its support for a resolution to the Western Sahara conflict, emphasizing that the continued stalemate is no longer acceptable. US representative to the UN Security Council made the statement during a session of the council, where he defended the American draft resolution on the issue. He noted that nearly three decades of pursuing a referendum-based approach have yielded no tangible results.
The US representative highlighted the humanitarian costs of the prolonged conflict, citing warnings from the UN Secretary-General's personal envoy dating back to 2006. The envoy had cautioned against the risks of entrenching the stalemate and the emergence of new generations within refugee camps in Tindouf. The US diplomat also pointed to alarming statistics on the suffering of children in the camps, with one-third suffering from anemia and nine out of ten unable to access adequate nutrition.
The US representative stressed that there is no strategic or humanitarian justification for the continued displacement of people for additional decades. He emphasized that the conflict is resolvable with sufficient political will and that the US proposal provides a practical framework for addressing the root causes of the crisis and alleviating its humanitarian impacts. The American draft resolution garnered significant support, with 11 votes in favor.
According to the US representative, the draft resolution was the result of three rounds of intensive consultations with the four parties involved. The text includes guarantees related to autonomy, security arrangements, international guarantees, and a transitional phase, aimed at creating a favorable environment for peace and freedom. The US representative underscored his country's commitment to working with the UN Secretary-General's personal envoy and other parties to achieve a peaceful and lasting settlement.
The US representative also emphasized that his country will not continue with the traditional approach, which has proven ineffective. He expressed the US commitment to coordinating with all parties involved to reach a peaceful and lasting solution to the Western Sahara conflict. The US position is based on the understanding that the current stalemate has persisted for nearly half a century.
The Western Sahara conflict has been a longstanding issue, with Morocco claiming sovereignty over the territory and the Polisario Front seeking independence. The UN has been involved in efforts to resolve the conflict, with the Security Council regularly discussing the issue. The US representative's statement reflects a renewed American effort to push for a resolution.
The US representative concluded by emphasizing the need for a new approach to resolving the Western Sahara conflict, one that prioritizes the well-being and dignity of the people affected by the stalemate. The US is committed to working with all parties to achieve a peaceful and lasting solution that addresses the root causes of the crisis and provides a foundation for long-term stability in the region.
Key points
- US representative to UN Security Council says current stalemate in Western Sahara conflict is no longer acceptable.
