Algiers, April 29, 2017 (SPS) - The extension of the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) on Friday is a “diplomatic success” for the Sahrawi cause, affirmed Saturday, in Algiers, Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ramtane Lamamra, pointing out that it will allow putting back on the rails the negotiation process.
“UN Security Council adopted yesterday in New York a resolution which extends by one year MINURSO mandate, it is fundamentally a success for the Sahrawi cause because the process will be put back on the rails,” said Lamamra on the sidelines of his visit to the hall of the legislative elections, where he was accompanied by international observers of the United Nations, African Union (AU), the Arab League and the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
He added that the political process which, for years, was “paralyzed” will be “put back on the rails” as indicated by UN Secretary General in his report and as also recorded by the Security Council in its resolutions.
“The political process will be relaunched with a new spirit and as part of a new dynamic and it is thus a matter of launching new direct negotiations between Morocco and the Polisario Front,” he said.
Lamamra said that the Sahrawi leaders “have shown a great lucidity and a strong sense of responsibility as, you have all noticed, there was an increasing tension in the zone of Guergueret for months.”
In this regard, he added that the Sahrawi officials succeeded in drawing the attention of the international community on the fact that “there are many phenomena arising from the fact that the people of Western Sahara haven’t yet been able to freely exercise their rights to self-determination.” (SPS)
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