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Rabat – The United Nations has said it hopes all member states support its work in Western Sahara, after 37 African states reiterated their support for the UN’s exclusive role in mediating the Western Sahara conflict.
The spokesperson of the UN Secretary-General, Stephane Dujarric, commented on the 37 countries’ decision in a press briefing on Tuesday, March 26.
Of the 54 African countries, 37 states convened in Marrakech on Monday to make a declaration in support of the UN-led political process.
Asked if Antonio Guterres had a response to the declaration, Dujarric said, “The SG’s response is in the work and the effort of his Special Envoy, Mr. [Horst] Kohler, who you know just finished a latest round of discussions with the parties.”
“We would hope that all Member States support the UN’s effort, as they are… as Mr Köhler’s efforts are being mandated by the Security Council,” added Dujarric.
While the 37 countries reaffirmed the UN’s role at the Marrakech conference, several other states engaged in a symposium hostile to Morocco’s territorial integrity.
Algeria, and several other southern African countries attended the SADC Solidarity Conference with the Sahrawi people in South Africa on March 25-26.South Africa and Namibia co-hosted the event.
During the symposium, attended by Polisario Front leader Ibrahim Ghali, representatives discussed ways to solve the conflict by supporting the separatist principle of self-determination.
By contrast, the 37 countries, which convened in Marrakech on Monday, reiterated support for the AU’s Decision 693 adopted in July 2018 at the 31st AU session in Nouakchott, Mauritania.
The decision pushed back against efforts to mediate the conflict within the AU, affirming the UN as the only legitimate body to find an agreed upon and mutually acceptable political solution to the conflict.
