The issue of Western Sahara is an issue of decolonization and the right of peoples to self-determination

New York (United Nations) – In his annual report to be presented at the General Assembly at its 79th session, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, reaffirmed that the United Nations addresses the issue of Western Sahara as an issue of decolonization and that the Security Council guarantees the Sahrawi people the right to self-determination.

The report on Western Sahara, which will be presented by the UN Secretary-General at the next session of the United Nations General Assembly in mid-September, stated that “the Security Council addresses Western Sahara as an issue related to peace and security, calling in successive resolutions for the need to reach a just, lasting and acceptable political solution for both parties.” “

The people of Western Sahara are guaranteed self-determination.” He added: “The Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) of the General Assembly and the Special Committee on the Situation with the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples of Western Sahara (Twenty-Fourth Committee) also address Western Sahara as a non-self-governing territory and a question related to decolonization.” “.

In his report covering the period from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024, the Secretary-General of the United Nations said: “I remain deeply concerned about developments in Western Sahara. The current deteriorating situation has become entrenched and must be urgently corrected, inter alia, to avoid any escalation.” warning that the continuation of the war and the failure to reach a ceasefire between Morocco and the Polisario Front constitute a major setback to the efforts made to find a political solution to this long-term conflict.

This difficult context – he adds – “makes negotiating a political solution to the issue of Western Sahara more urgent than ever after nearly five decades of conflict,” expressing the readiness of the United Nations to hold a meeting that includes all those concerned with the issue of Western Sahara in a joint effort to discuss For a peaceful solution.

He continued, saying: “I urge them to deal with the political process with an open mind, to refrain from presenting preconditions and to seize the opportunity provided by the facilitation work and efforts made by my personal envoy, provided that all concerned parties participate in good faith and the presence of a strong political will. And with continued support from The international community, I still believe that it is possible to reach a just and lasting political solution that is acceptable to both parties and guarantees the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara in accordance with Security Council resolutions.”

Mr. Guterres stated that he had submitted to the Security Council a report on the situation with regard to Western Sahara, describing the situation on the ground, the status of the political negotiations related to Western Sahara, the status of the implementation of resolution 2654 (2022) and the current challenges faced by the operations of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO). ), as well as the steps taken to overcome them.

He also noted that, despite repeated official requests made by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to conduct a technical visit to Western Sahara, in accordance with General Assembly resolution 85/78, and despite Security Council resolution 2703 (2023), which urges Strengthening cooperation with the Commission for Human Rights, including facilitating these visits, but the Commission has not been allowed to enter the region for many years.

In this regard, the report stressed that “the inability to obtain direct information and the absence of independent, impartial, comprehensive and sustained monitoring of the human rights situation are two factors that hindered a comprehensive assessment of the human rights situation in the region,” pointing out that during the period covered by the report, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights continued to receive Complaints regarding human rights violations, including intimidation, surveillance, and discrimination against Sahrawis, particularly when calling for self-determination.

It is worth noting that the submission of his report by the Secretary-General of the United Nations comes pursuant to Resolution 85/78, which was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 7, 2023 during its seventy-eighth session on the issue of Western Sahara under item 58 of its agenda related to the implementation of the Declaration on Granting Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples.

In its resolution 85/78, the United Nations General Assembly recalled all General Assembly and Security Council resolutions on Western Sahara, including Security Council Resolution 690 (1991) of 29 April 1991, by which the Security Council established and under its authority the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) MINURSO).

The General Assembly also reaffirmed the responsibility of the United Nations towards the people of Western Sahara and requested the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples (the Committee of Twenty-Four) to continue to consider the situation in Western Sahara as a territory subject to decolonization, and to submit a report thereon. To the General Assembly at its seventy-ninth session.

APS