UN Compliments Morocco’s Efforts
Security Council of the United Nations restated its support of the Moroccan proposal to end the three-decade old dispute over the Sahara. The Council called for all nations to work together with the United Nations and with each other. Consideration should be given to find a way to a political solution to the impasse between Morocco and the Algerian-backed separatists known as the Polisario sources said.
The Security Council restated its commitment to help the parties involved and move towards resolution. It asked the parties to enter into direct negotiations. The Council unanimously voted for the resolution. Noted in the resolution is Morocco’s proposal to grant autonomy to the Sahara and the Southern Provinces. The Council lauded Morocco to move the talks forward. The parties’ efforts in entering direct talks was also complimented.
The council asks that the parties continue with negotiations without preconditions and in good faith. The parties should work in an atmosphere that brings forth dialogue and moves toward resolution.
Previous talks were held at the request of the personal envoy to the Secretary General of the United Nations for the Sahara, Peter Van Walsum. Morocco and Polisario leaders met in New York in June and August of 2006 for discussions. Algeria and Mauritania were also present as observers.
The Security Council decided to extend the mandate called The United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara until the April 30, 2008. The UN has kept its mission present in the Western Sahara region to monitor the UN brokered ceasefire between Morocco and the Algerian backed Polisario since 1991.
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December 11th, 2007 at 8:45 am
[…] reiterated its support of Morocco’s bid to bring about a negotiated and political end to the West Sahara dispute with the Algerian backed Polisario. Sierra Leone considers this a phony dispute and froze […]
January 3rd, 2008 at 9:20 am
[…] Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony, was ceded to Morocco in 1975 under the Madrid Accords. Its eastern […]