2024-10-17 20:00:00
UN Special Envoy for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, spoke for the first time a “division” of the former Spanish colony into two territories, so that Morocco maintains control of the northern area and the south is considered an independent country.
De Mistura stated this in a closed-door meeting of the UN Security Council held on Wednesday, in which he observed that this “compromise” would allow, on the one hand, Rabat applies the autonomy planformulated in 2007, and, on the other hand, “would guarantee the right of self-determination of the population of Western Sahara“.
As De Mistura recalled, this is not a new idea, since one of his predecessors, James Baker, proposed it more than twenty years ago. According to this plan, the controlled territories would be taken as reference from Mauritania in the 1970s under an agreement with Morocco. “Some countries in the region and other areas have expressed interest in this regard Possibility of dividing the territory“De Mistura assured this, without going into detail about the governments he is referring to. He clarified, however, that there is “no sign” that Morocco or the Polisario Front they are willing to study the idea, which he “regrets” because he believes it “deserves consideration”.
De Mistura appealed to “sense of urgency” and urged the parties to show “creativity” in the search for “mutually acceptable” solutions, as he recognized that the historical conflict also entails “implications” of a practical nature, as demonstrated by the recent rulings of the Court of Justice of the EU ( CJEU) which annuls trade and fishing agreements with Morocco.
Ask for the “details” of Morocco’s plan
The envoy warned him The stability and development of the entire area is at stakeresult of a conflict that acquires a “regional dimension”, as demonstrated by the fact that Algeria and Morocco currently have no relations.
Rabat has highlighted in recent months the growing international support to his autonomy plan and De Mistura admitted that there are “bilateral initiatives” in this regard, citing as a “clear example” France’s recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara. However, he indicated that it is time for Morocco to “explain and expand” the said plan, as “details” are missing in King Mohamed VI’s “three-page plan”. “The interested population has the right to know better what is proposed“he added.
On the other hand, and taking into account that both the United Nations Charter and the whole of international law require the “full application” of the right to self-determination of the Sahrawi people, he also urged the Polisario Front to address the issue with “a spirit of realism” and commitment” in the process.
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