Brussels, May 05, 2016 (SPS) - Measures must be taken quickly to enable the full implementation of the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) and the relaunch of the peace process, pleaded the Sahrawi Deputy Minister for European Affairs Mohamed Sidati.
“MINURSO must regain its full functionality so that the peace process, currently at standstill, can be put back on the rails and so that we can resolutely embark on the implementation of the pertinent resolutions of the United Nations,” Sidati told APS.
The resolution 2285 of UN Security Council, passed on 30 April 2016 to extend by one year the MINURSO mandate, “doesn’t adopt a sufficiently firm tone vis-à-vis Morocco” which expelled in March the civilian staff of this mission, said Sidati who underlined that the Council “failed to keep its commitments” by missing the opportunity to “force Morocco to respect the international legality.”
The expulsion of most of the members of the civilian staff of MINURSO is “a very dangerous precedent” for other UN peacekeeping missions, reaffirmed the Sahrawi minister, pointing out that this act “weakens the prospects for a fair and peaceful solution in Western Sahara.”
According to Sidati, the Moroccan policy is a source of “serious concern” and constitutes “a real threat to peace in the region,” adding that it is an attitude that encourages instability, insecurity for the Maghreb and the entire region.
“The situation can get out of hand at any moment,” he warned.
He reiterated his call to the UN Security Council and the international community to assume their responsibilities vis-à-vis the Sahrawi people, denouncing the “incredible” and “astounding” attitude of France and Spain which have, he added, “a big responsibility in the tragedy endured by the Sahrawi people for decades.” SPS
125/090/700