New York (United Nations) 14 October 2022 (SPS)- Zimbabwe’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador A.R. Chimbindi, called on the two parties to the conflict, Morocco and Polisario Front, to implement the OAU-UN Settlement Plan of 1991, in his statement before the UN 4th Committee on Decolonisation on Thursday.
“In the case of Western Sahara, my delegation urges both parties, Morocco and the Frente POLISARIO, to implement the commitments made under the 1988 UN-OAU Settlement Plan that was approved by the UN Security Council.” He said.
Zimbabwe, as a former colony, he adds “is deeply concerned that the people of Western Sahara have not been afforded the opportunity to decide on their future,” and urges “the General Assembly and the Security Council to fully and effectively assume their responsibilities and take concrete steps to put finality to this long outstanding matter in line with the Settlement Plan, the relevant UN General Assembly and Security Council resolutions, and those of the OAU/AU.”
On another hand, he recalled “the judgment of the European Court of Justice that, in part, importantly, indicated that Western Sahara had clearly defined territory, which should remain one and indivisible.”
On this same legal aspect, he also recalled “that on 22 September 2022, the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights delivered a judgment concluding that Morocco’s occupation is a violation of the right to self-determination and independence of Western Sahara, and that all States have an obligation to assist the Sahrawi people in the full realization of their right to self-determination and independence.”
The position of Zimbabwe “is that we have to afford the people of Western Sahara the opportunity to freely choose, under the auspices of the already agreed referendum, the future they want. Zimbabwe will gladly welcome the sovereign will of the people of Western Sahara.”
To that end, the diplomat adds “Zimbabwe urges the parties, the Security Council, the General Assembly, and the rest of the international community to support the efforts of the UN Secretary-General to re-launch the peace process.” (SPS)
090/500/60 (SPS)