Guterres calls for intensified Sahara diplomacy --[Reported by Umva mag]

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres released his annual report on Moroccan Sahara on Thursday recommending that the Security Council extend MINURSO’s mandate for one year, until October 31, 2025.

In his comprehensive report, presented on Wednesday, the UN secretary-general took stock of recent efforts and challenges in the search for a solution to the Sahara conflict, while highlighting the lack of cooperation from the Polisario Front.

The 20-page document takes stock of Guterres’ attempts to restart negotiations between the four main players in this territorial dispute: Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania and the Polisario Front.

According to the report, the situation on the ground remains characterized by “low-intensity” tensions and hostilities between Morocco and the Polisario Front.

Despite the efforts of the UN chief’s personal envoy Staffan de Mistura, political progress remains limited.

For its part, Morocco reiterated its commitment to the UN-led negotiation process and to the implementation of its internationally recognized autonomy plan.

This plan was welcomed by French President Emmanuel Macron who declared on July 30 that it was “the basis for resolving this issue”.

However, France’s stance, along with the recent opening of a Chadian consulate in Dakhla, in Morocco’s southern provinces, has drawn strong criticism from Algeria and the Polisario Front, who continue to strongly oppose Moroccan sovereignty over the region.

In his report, Guterres also points the finger at a number of attacks that have hampered the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO).

These include a rocket attack by the Polisario on 29 October that targeted the Moroccan town of Smara, about 2.5 kilometers from a MINURSO site. The attack killed one civilian and wounded three others, including a minor.

In addition, the MINURSO mission is facing difficulties in carrying out its tasks, in particular due to restrictions imposed by the Polisario Front, which are hampering investigations on the ground.

Despite these obstacles, the Kingdom of Morocco is continuing its efforts to modernize and develop its southern provinces.

On 29 July, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the accession to the throne of King Mohammed VI, Morocco inaugurated the Sakia El Hamra Wadi Bridge, a major infrastructure project aimed at strengthening the economic and social development of the region.

The report concludes by underlining Morocco’s willingness to negotiate to find a lasting diplomatic solution.

António Guterres thus makes an urgent appeal to intensify diplomatic efforts to find a peaceful and definitive solution to this decades-old conflict.

RT/te/lb/jn/APA

The following news has been carefully analyzed, curated, and compiled by Umva Mag from a diverse range of people, sources, and reputable platforms. Our editorial team strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information we provide. By combining insights from multiple perspectives, we aim to offer a well-rounded and comprehensive understanding of the events and stories that shape our world. Umva Mag values transparency, accountability, and journalistic integrity, ensuring that each piece of content is delivered with the utmost professionalism.