New York, October 04, 2016 (SPS) – Sahrawi Foreign Minister , Mr. Mohamed Ould Salek said that Morocco for over twenty-five years, has systematically reneged on agreements signed, and has hindered all efforts by the international community to secure the decolonization of Western Sahara and the right to self-determination of the Saharawi people during press conference Tuesday in New York.
“For over forty years, Morocco has illegally occupied a significant portion of Western Sahara, a Non-Self Governing Territory (NSGT), still awaiting a process of decolonization. And for over twenty-five years, Morocco has systematically reneged on agreements signed, including the OAU/UN Settlement Plan endorsed by the UN Security Council, and has hindered all efforts by the international community to secure the decolonization of Western Sahara and the right to self-determination of the Saharawi people.” Sahrawi Foreign Minister underlined
Ould Salek added that Morocco has shown, beyond any doubt, that it is unwilling to choose the peaceful, democratic and viable path to a lasting solution for Western Sahara.
He recalled that Morocco continuously obstructed the referendum process, repressed the Saharawi population in the occupied territories, and denigrated the Secretary-General, Morocco expelled 84 civilians and 3 military MINURSO personnel in March 2016. This action was a challenge to the authority of the Security Council, a brazen attempt to shut down the UN’s role in Western Sahara, a direct violation of a number of Morocco’s legal obligations related to MINURSO’s presence in Western Sahara, a dangerous precedent for the future of UN peacekeeping missions, and a direct threat to regional peace and security.
he pointed out that Morocco violated Military Agreement no.1 signed by the two parties, the Frente POLISARIO and Morocco, when its army crossed into the restricted zone in the El Guerguerat area with the purpose to impose a fait accompli.This action, if not reversed, could undermine the most sensitive pillar that has thus far allowed for maintaining a peaceful situation on the ground, namely the ceasefire agreement.
“The Security Council meetings to discuss the situation in El Guerguerat on 26th August, 11 Sept, 26 Sept and 29 Sept has shown its its failure in its responsibility in this regard, emphasizing that France again prevented the Council from taking any action on the situation.” Sahrawi FM indicated
He also stated that the fact that Security Council resolution 2285 adopted on 29 April 2016, which emphasizes the ‘urgent’ need for MINURSO to return to ‘full functionality’, and which stresses the need for the parties to continue the negotiation process through UN sponsored talks, is yet to be implemented. SPS
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