New York (United Nations) 28 October 2022 (SPS)- South Africa’s Deputy Permanent Representative, Amb. Xolisa Mabhongo, recalled the UN Security Council, in a statement to the Media yesterday after the latter’s adoption of a new resolution on Western Sahara, that the mandate of the UN Mission in this last colony is to organise a referendum on self-determination for the Saharawi people.
“I wish to underscore my country’s unequivocal and strong support for the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO). We call upon the Council in this regard to ensure that MINURSO executes its core mandate, in a fair and balanced manner. This mandate was created thirty years ago, pursuant to Security Council resolution 690 (1991), to facilitate the holding of a referendum in Western Sahara to enable its people to realise their right to self-determination,” he said.
He further recalled the role that should be played by the African Union, to which both Morocco and the Saharawi Republic, are member states.
Following is the full text of the Media statement by South Africa yesterday:
MEDIA STATEMENT
Ambassador Xolisa Mabhongo, Deputy Permanent Representative of South Africa at the Media Stakeout following the UN Security Council Consultations on United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO)
27 October 2022
Ladies and gentlemen of the media. Thank you for your attention today, my name is Xolisa Mabhongo, and I am the Deputy Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations.
Following the UN Security Council’s adoption of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), let me take this opportunity to reiterate this morning South Africa’s position.
At the outset, let me reiterate our support for Mr Staffan de Mistura, the UN Personal Envoy of the Secretary General for Western Sahara in his efforts as he executes his mandates to facilitate an UN-led political process that will result in the resumption of a political process, to support the parties’ negotiations and towards the holding of a free and fair referendum on the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.
As the international community is aware, on 18 October 2022, South African President Ramaphosa received the President of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic, H.E. Mr Brahim Ghali, on a State Visit to South Africa. During their discussions, the two Heads of State emphasised the need for SADR and the Kingdom of Morocco, as Member States of the AU, to engage in dialogue to overcome the current political impasse. This would prepare conditions for a just and durable solution to the conflict, in line with the relevant AU-UN decisions and resolutions and the objectives and principles of the Constitutive Act of the African Union, as well as the decisions of the 14th Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of the AU on Silencing the Guns in Africa.
To this end, South Africa has always and will always support efforts to achieve a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable political solution, which will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara. As Council members and the international community is aware, the primary mandate of MINURSO and its reason for being, as established in Security Council resolution 690 (1991) and subsequent resolutions, is the holding of a free and fair referendum on self-determination for the people of Western Sahara as well as the attainment of their fundamental freedoms and human rights. Let me add that, and as underscored jointly by our Heads of States, MINURSO should be given the mandate for monitoring, protecting, and reporting on Human Rights, and protecting the natural resources from illegal exploitation.
I wish to underscore my country’s unequivocal and strong support for the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO). We call upon the Council in this regard to ensure that MINURSO executes its core mandate, in a fair and balanced manner. This mandate was created thirty years ago, pursuant to Security Council resolution 690 (1991), to facilitate the holding of a referendum in Western Sahara to enable its people to realise their right to self-determination.
Both the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) and the Kingdom of Morocco are Members of the African Union and are bound by its decisions. In this regard, we take this opportunity to reiterate that, in line with the AU Assembly decision adopted at the 14th AU Extraordinary Summit on Silencing the Guns which took place on 6 December 2020, both parties as Member States of the AU must prepare conditions for a new cease-fire, in close coordination with the AU Peace and Security Council in line with all relevant provisions of its Protocol, to reach a just and durable solution to the conflict." (SPS)
090/500/60 (SPS)