Sahara: Algeria & Polisario Upset by Latest UN Resolution

As expected, Algeria and the Polisario were displeased with Sahara resolution 2468 adopted last Tuesday by the UN Security Council with a large majority of 13 votes in favor and two abstentions (Russia and South Africa).

According to sources close to the UN, the Polisario and its Algerian sponsors were very upset by this resolution, which does not make reference to the “principle of self-determination”.

In this resolution drafted by the US, the penholder, the Security Council extended for six months the MINURSO mandate and reiterated once again, the pre-eminence of the Moroccan autonomy plan in the consensual political settlement process of the Sahara conflict.
It welcomes, once again, the “serious and credible Moroccan efforts to move the process forward towards resolution” of this regional dispute.

The Security Council, which describes Algeria as a main party in the UN process, calls on the four parties to the Sahara conflict (Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania and Polisario) to show political will, “realism and spirit of compromise” to move forward in the negotiations and ensure their success with the implementation of Security Council resolutions adopted since 2006.

To the great displeasure of Algeria and Polisario, the Council voiced “deep concern” over the “continuing hardship” of the inhabitants of Tindouf camps in Algeria and “their dependence on external humanitarian assistance”.

The Security Council resolution renewed its call for conducting the registration and census of the Tindouf camp populations, emphasizing that “efforts must be made in this regard”.

It also reiterated its “concern” over the violations by the Polisario of the ceasefire agreements in the Sahara, urging the separatist group to “fully” honor its commitments made to the personal envoy of UN Secretary-General for the Sahara Horst Köhler.

Furthermore, the US did not give in to the pressure from South Africa, a non-permanent member of the security Council, and main supporter of the Polisario after Algeria, which tried in vain to obtain a more favorable wording in favor of the separatists.