MADRID 19 Oct. () –
This Saturday, the EU defended a “realistic and pragmatic” solution to the dispute over the former Spanish colony of Western Sahara, controlled by Morocco, in response to the new proposal by the UN special envoy for the Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, of the possibility of the partition of the territory between Morocco and the Polisario Front.
“Any solution to the Western Sahara issue must be fair, realistic, pragmatic, durable and mutually acceptable, based on compromise and in accordance with the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council,” said a spokesperson for the EU in statements to Europa Press. “We reiterate the importance for the European Union of preserving regional stability,” he added.
De Mistura proposed last Wednesday before the UN Security Council a “partition” into two territories, in such a way that Morocco retains control of the northern area and the south becomes considered an independent country.
This “commitment” would allow, on the one hand, Rabat to apply the autonomy plan, formulated in 2007, and, on the other, “it would guarantee the right of self-determination of the population of Western Sahara.”
De Mistura himself has acknowledged that this is not a new idea, since one of his predecessors, James Baker, proposed it more than two decades ago. According to this plan, the territories controlled by Mauritania in the 1970s under an agreement with Morocco would be taken as references.
“Some of the countries in the region and other areas have expressed interest in this possibility of dividing the territory,” said De Mistura, without going into details regarding the governments to which he refers.
He has made it clear, however, that there is “no sign” that Morocco or the Polisario Front are willing to study the idea, something that he “regrets” because he believes that “it deserves to be taken into account.”
De Mistura has appealed to a “sense of urgency” and has urged the parties to show “creativity” when seeking “mutually acceptable” solutions, since he has recognized that the historical conflict also leads to “implications” of a practical nature. , as would be demonstrated by the recent rulings of the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) that annul the trade and fishing agreements with Morocco.
Rabat has highlighted in recent months the growing international support for its autonomy plan and De Mistura has admitted that there are “bilateral initiatives” in this regard, giving as a “clear example” France’s recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara.
However, he has indicated that it is time for Morocco to “explain and expand” the aforementioned plan, since it is missing “details” in the “three-page plan” of King Mohamed VI. “The affected population has the right to know better what is proposed,” he added.
On the other hand, and taking into account that both the United Nations Charter and the whole of International Law require the “full application” of the right of self-determination for the Sahrawi population, he has also urged the Polisario Front to face it with “a spirit of realism” and commitment” the process.
The former Spanish colony of Western Sahara was occupied by Morocco in 1975 despite the resistance of the Polisario Front, with whom it remained at war until 1991, when both parties signed a ceasefire with a view to holding a self-determination referendum. The differences over the preparation of the census and the inclusion or not of Moroccan settlers have prevented it from being called so far.
The latest setback for the Sahrawis was the support of the Spanish and French governments for the Moroccan autonomy plan, a change of position described as treason by the Polisario, which also recalls that Spain is still ‘de jure’ the administrative power of Western Sahara.
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