Bir Lehlou, Sahrawi Republic - 30 October 2023 - (SPS) The Frente Polisario issued today a statement following the adoption by the Security Council of its new resolution by which it decided to extend the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) until 31 October 2024.
The statement recalls that the Security Council, in its resolution, recalls and reaffirms all its previous resolutions on Western Sahara, and reaffirms its commitment to assist the two parties, the Frente POLISARIO and Morocco, to achieve a just and lasting solution that will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara. The Security Council likewise recognises the important role played by MINURSO on the ground and the need for it to fully implement its mandate.
However, the Press Release adds, the Security Council has missed another opportunity to adopt concrete measures to empower MINURSO to fully implement its mandate as established in Security Council Resolution 690 (1991).
The statement affirms the rejection by the Frente POLISARIO of the continued silence of the Security Council, particularly some influential members, about the serious consequences of the breaching and torpedoing of the 1991 ceasefire by the occupying state of Morocco, which jeopardise not only the prospects of relaunching the peace process but also peace, security, and stability in the entire region.
In concluding, the Press Release reaffirms the commitment of the Frente POLISARIO to the achievement of a peaceful, just, and lasting solution to the decolonisation of Western Sahara based on the free and democratic exercise by the Sahrawi people of their inalienable, non-negotiable, and imprescriptible to self-determination and independence.
It also reaffirms the unwavering and strong determination of the Sahrawi people to continue their liberation struggle by all legitimate means to realise their national aspirations for freedom and independence and the establishment of their sovereignty over the entire Territory of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR).
FRENTE POLISARIO
PRESS RELEASE
THE SAHRAWI PEOPLE WILL CONTINUE THEIR LEGITIMATE STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM AND INDEPENDENCE
The full text of the Press Release as received SPS:
[Bir Lehlou, Sahrawi Republic - 30 October 2023] On 30 October 2023, the Security Council adopted resolution 2703 (2023) whereby it decided to extend the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) until 31 October 2024.
In its resolution, the Security Council recalls and reaffirms all its previous resolutions on Western Sahara and reaffirms its commitment to assist the two parties, the Frente POLISARIO and Morocco, to achieve a just and lasting solution that will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara. The Security Council likewise recognises the important role played by MINURSO on the ground and the need for it to fully implement its mandate.
Moreover, the Security Council urges enhancing cooperation with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), including through facilitating visits to the region, which is a clear message to the occupying state of Morocco that has been preventing the OHCHR from visiting Occupied Western Sahara for the eighth consecutive year.
The Security Council also welcomes the informal consultations convened by the Personal Envoy with the two parties, the neighbouring countries, and other states, including permanent members of the Council, which shows the international importance given to the question of Western Sahara.
Nevertheless, the Security Council has missed another opportunity to adopt concrete measures to empower MINURSO to fully implement its mandate as established in Security Council Resolution 690 (1991). The Security Council has also failed to address decisively the longstanding restrictions imposed by the occupying state of Morocco on MINURSO that seriously undermine the international character as well as the credibility and impartiality of the Mission.
The Frente POLISARIO cannot but express once again its rejection of the continued silence of the Security Council, particularly some influential members, about the serious consequences of the breaching and torpedoing of the 1991 ceasefire by the occupying state of Morocco, which jeopardise not only the prospects of relaunching the peace process but also peace, security, and stability in the entire region.
The Frente POLISARIO reiterates its categorical rejection of the fait accompli policy that the occupying state of Morocco is trying to forcibly impose in the Occupied Sahrawi Territories and reaffirms the unwavering and strong determination of the Sahrawi people to continue their liberation struggle by all legitimate means to realise their national aspirations for freedom and independence and the establishment of their sovereignty over the entire Territory of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR).
The Frente POLISARIO also reiterates its commitment to the achievement of a peaceful, just, and lasting solution to the decolonisation of Western Sahara, the last colony in Africa, based on the free and democratic exercise by the Sahrawi people of their inalienable, non-negotiable, and imprescriptible right to self-determination and independence in accordance with General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV) and relevant resolutions of the United Nations and the African Union and based on the mandate for which the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) was established.
In this regard, the Frente POLISARIO reaffirms that the United Nations-the Organisation of the African Unity Settlement Plan remains the only agreement mutually accepted by the two parties, the Frente POLISARIO and Morocco, and approved unanimously by the Security Council in its resolution 658 (1990) and resolution 690 (1991) whereby the Council established, under its authority, MINURSO to hold a free and fair referendum without military or administrative constraints to enable the people of Western Sahara to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination and independence.
The international legal framework for a peaceful and lasting solution to the decolonisation of Western Sahara has been clearly defined by the relevant organs of the United Nations and accepted by the two parties who formally committed themselves to it before the international community. Therefore, there is no use trying to justify inaction and complacency, which are unjustifiable, through the search for new “formulas” outside this framework because there is much at stake, including peace and security in the entire region.
What is urgently needed at this critical juncture is to end impunity and to hold accountable the party that has been obstructing the peace process and then put in place concrete measures to enable MINURSO to fully implement its mandate. This is the only viable path leading to the achievement of the just and durable peace and the restoration of security and stability in our region.