Lavrov confirms Russia’s firm position on the conflict in Western Sahara

Rabat – Russia reaffirmed its firm and unchangeable position on the conflict in Western Sahara, which is based on its support for a peaceful settlement in accordance with United Nations resolutions and regulations. This again embarrasses the Moroccan side, which is still stubborn and procrastinating in implementing the United Nations regulations aimed at ending the suffering of the Sahrawi people. In the last colony in Africa.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said yesterday, Wednesday, during a press conference in Marrakesh: “We discussed (during a meeting with officials in Morocco) African affairs and developments, the Middle East and North Africa, the Mediterranean region, and the world in general, and we touched on the settlement process in Western Sahara.”

In this context, Lavrov stressed that “Russia is interested in achieving progress regarding this file” and that its approach to the settlement remains “balanced, unbiased and not subject to change,” as he highlighted that his country “supports a quick and long-term settlement in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions” and that it intends to continue to adhere to this principled line.

The Russian Foreign Minister highlighted that during the meetings he held in Morocco, “regional and international issues were discussed, and we support the central role of the United Nations (…) and support respect from all parties for the right of countries to self-determination.”

As a permanent member of the UN Security Council and a member of the Group of Friends of Western Sahara, Lavrov said that his country “is trying to strengthen this in every possible way, including by supporting the efforts of the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General to Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, and it is important to ensure “The conditions necessary for the effective work of the United Nations Mission (to organize the referendum) in Western Sahara, which plays an important role in achieving stability in the region.”

The Russian minister’s statements are consistent with United Nations resolutions related to Western Sahara, which has been included in the United Nations list of non-self-governing territories since 1963 after Spain presented the issue under Article 73 (e) of the United Nations Charter.

It is clear from the resolution issued in this regard that the United Nations decided on the issue of Western Sahara, as it decided to hold a referendum in the region to enable its indigenous people to determine their fate, a position that continued during the meetings of the United Nations General Assembly, which was clearly evident through its resolutions No. 1968/2428. And No. 1969/2590, No. 1970/2711, and No. 1972/2983, in addition to Resolution No. 1973/3162 regarding the right to self-determination for the Sahrawi people.

At the 29th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Resolution No. 3292 was issued in 1974, which affirmed that “in view of the differences over the legal status of the territory of Western Sahara, the General Assembly saw the necessity of referring the case to the International Court of Justice regarding the legal aspects of the case.” The court announced its advisory opinion on October 16. 1975, which confirmed that Western Sahara “was not a land without a owner at the time of its Spanish colonization.”

In 1979, the United Nations General Assembly issued Resolution No. 37/34 affirming the right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination and calling on Morocco to end its presence in Western Sahara, while considering the Polisario Front the legitimate representative of the people of Western Sahara and therefore “must participate in all attempts to find a just political solution in The question of Western Sahara.

APS