Security Council Renews MINURSO Mandate Until October 31

UN Security Council adopted resolution 2414 renewing the mandate of the UN mission to the Sahara, MINURSO, for another six months until October 31.

The resolution took note of “the Moroccan proposal presented on 11 April 2007 to the Secretary-General” (a reference to the autonomy initiative) and welcomed the “credible Moroccan efforts to move the process forward.”

The Security council also lauded Morocco’s human rights steps and initiatives underscoring the “role played by the National Council on Human Rights Commissions operating in Dakhla and Laayoune, and Morocco’s interaction with Special Procedures of the United Nations Human Rights Council.”

The resolution also called on the parties to engage in a new round of negotiations without pre-conditions and urged neighboring states, Algeria and Mauritania, to contribute to “achieve progress towards a political solution.”

The Security Council reiterated that the status-quo is untenable, noting that a political solution is conducive to regional integration in the Maghreb and to regional peace and stability.

“A political solution to this long-standing dispute and enhanced cooperation between the Member States of the Maghreb Arab Union would contribute to stability and security, in turn leading to jobs, growth and opportunities for all the peoples in the Sahel region,” said the resolution, drafted by the US and voted by 12 states for and 3 abstentions.