Security Council extends UN mission for the Sahara for one year

The United Nations Security Council decided on Monday to extend the mandate of the UN Mission for the Sahara, MINURSO, for one year, while enshrining, once again, the preeminence of the Moroccan autonomy initiative to settle the regional dispute over the Sahara.

The Security Council “decides to extend the mandate of MINURSO until October 31, 2024”, reads resolution 2703, sponsored by the United States.

The resolution was adopted by 13 votes in favor and 2 abstentions.

In this new resolution, the executive body of the United Nations reaffirmed its support for the Moroccan autonomy initiative, presented by Morocco in 2007, as a serious and credible basis to put an end to the regional dispute over the Sahara, as enshrined in Security Council resolutions.

The members of the Council also reiterated their support for the efforts of the UN Secretary General and his Personal Envoy for the Sahara aimed at advancing the political process with a view to achieving a realistic, pragmatic and lasting solution, based on compromise.