New York (United Nations), November 1, 2023 (SPS) - Mr. Martins Mariano Kumanga, Minister Plenipotentiary of Mozambique to the United Nations, confirmed that his country, which abstained from voting on the resolution, continues to support the work of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), emphasizing that it participated in the negotiation process on the draft resolution with the legitimate aim of helping the Mission to return to its primary goal of holding a referendum for self-determination for the people of Western Sahara as stipulated in Resolution 690 (1991) and subsequent Security Council resolutions.
Mr. Martins Mariano Kumanga expressed his conviction that the resolution, in its current form, would not help the parties reach a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution, as was originally intended. On the contrary, it heralds a gradual shift away from the original mandate, and it only postpones addressing the fundamental issues that need to be addressed.
He also affirmed support for all efforts aimed at reaching a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution that guarantees the people of Western Sahara self-determination in accordance with Security Council resolutions, adding that his country’s position is centered on the United Nations Charter, which stipulates that all peoples have the inalienable right to self-determination, as explained in General Assembly Resolution 1514 of 1960.
Mr. Martins Mariano Kumanga, concluded by reiterating his country's call on the parties to work in good faith with the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General to achieve the long-awaited exercise by the people of Western Sahara of their right to self-determination.
SPS