New York (UN), Oct 8, 2017 (SPS) - Nigeria’s Ambssador Hussein Abdullahi has reiterated call to set a date for the holding of the self-determination referendum for the people of Western Sahara, in a statement to the UN General Assembly Fourth Committee General Debate on Decolonization.
“My delegation remains convinced that intensified and sincere negotiations to resolve these long-standing disputes would mitigate some of the potential conflicts spots in the Maghreb. In this regard, my delegation wishes to reiterate AU's call on the UN to determine a date for the holding of the self-determination referendum for the people of Western Sahara,” he said.
“A high level of collaboration and cooperation between the United Nations and the AU on this issue remains crucial, especially considering the possible effects of the lack of a political solution to the question of Western Sahara on regional stability, amidst the growing threat of violent extremism. We must stress that a genuine political solution remains the best option for resolving this conflict but the commitment must be there for politics to produce a clear path to peace.”
“We must again be reminded of the mandate of the UN Mission in Western Sahara to organize a referendum. The failure to hold that referendum remains blight on the integrity of the United Nations and a sad neglect of the fundamental obligation to uphold the rights of the people of Western Sahara,” added Nigeria’s Ambssador Hussein Abdullahi in his statement to the UN General Assembly Fourth Committee General Debate on Decolonization. (SPS)
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