The UN Security Council extends its mission for the referendum in Western Sahara

The Polisario denounces the “inaction” of the UN and reaffirms its refusal to participate in any peace process outside what was agreed

Oct. 27 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The UN Security Council has approved the extension of the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINUSRO) until October 31, 2023.

In its resolution, the body reaffirms its commitment to help the two parties involved in the matter — the Polisario Front and the Moroccan authorities — to reach a fair and lasting solution, according to the Polisario Front in a statement.

Likewise, the Security Council has valued the work of MINUSRO on the ground and has stressed the need to fully comply with the mandate of the mission, which, however, will not enjoy practical measures to guarantee the full implementation of its mission. mandate.

This last aspect has been harshly criticized by the Polisario Front, which sees a “failure” in not providing MINUSRO with this type of mechanism. In addition, he has denounced the “inaction” of the Security Council in the face of “the aggressive and persistent attempts” by Morocco to “hinder and undermine” the mandate of the UN mission.

“The Polisario Front categorically rejects the inaction of the Security Council, in particular some of its influential members, and its deplorable silence and unjustifiable reluctance to hold the occupying State of Morocco responsible for its continued illegal occupation of parts of our country,” he added. the Saharawi body.

Thus, the Polisario has criticized the Security Council for “opting for a destructive ambiguity” instead of adopting “a balanced, unequivocal and coherent approach” in order to promote a process of “peace and realities on the ground”.

Therefore, the Saharawi formation considers that the UN, in part, “deepens the prevailing stalemate” in such a way that it undermines the mission of the UN Personal Envoy, aggravates the operational environment of MINUSRO and deepens a situation already in itself “tense”.

“The Polisario Front reaffirms that the Settlement Plan of the UN and the Organization of African Unity continues to be the only mutual agreement accepted by the two parties (…) and approved unanimously by the Security Council”, said the Polisario, which recalls the two resolutions of the UN body where MINUSRO is instructed.

“The (Security) Council established, under its authority, MINUSRO to hold a free, fair and unrestricted or administrative referendum that allows the people of Western Sahara to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination and independence,” the formation added. .

In this context, the Polisario Front has reaffirmed its refusal to participate in any peace process that is based on any approach that deviates from the Settlement Plan, which is the “raison d’etre of MINUSRO and the basis of its mandate.” .

“No one should have any illusions that a genuine, credible and viable peace process could begin and advance in Western Sahara without ending the impunity with which the occupying State of Morocco has been allowed to undermine the Settlement Plan,” he said. pointed out by the Polisario.

Finally, the Saharawi formation has indicated that the population of the region “will continue to use all legitimate means, including armed struggle, to defend its inalienable and non-negotiable right to self-determination and independence and to restore sovereignty over the entire territory of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR).