New York (United Nations), October 19, 2024 (SPS) - Dr. Sidi Mohamed Omar, member of the National Secretariat, Polisario Front representative at the United Nations and Coordinator with MINURSO, reiterated the Sahrawi people's categorical rejection of any proposal, whatever its formula, that is outside the international framework for Western Sahara as a decolonization issue and does not guarantee our people's inalienable right to self-determination and independence.
This reaffirmation came during the interview conducted by the Sahrawi diplomat with the Sahrawi National Television yesterday from New York via Skype as part of the "Al-Hadath" program hosted by Mr. Mohamed Salem Laabid, Director of Sahrawi Television.
The interview addressed the decision of the Fourth Committee on Decolonization of the United Nations General Assembly on Western Sahara, the report of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, as well as the closed consultations session held recently by the Security Council on the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) and what was reported by the media about the briefing of the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for Western Sahara before the Council.
Regarding the decision of the Fourth Committee, the Sahrawi diplomat stressed that this decision reaffirms, as is the case every year, the legal framework of Western Sahara as a decolonization issue and the inalienable right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination and independence in accordance with General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV) containing the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, as well as the responsibility of the United Nations towards the Sahrawi people.
Speaking about the Secretary-General's report, the Sahrawi diplomat referred to the Secretary-General's call for the need to refrain from setting preconditions, which is a clear message to the Moroccan occupying state to stop setting "preconditions" that contradict the text and spirit of Security Council resolutions, and a clear response to the position expressed by its Prime Minister before the General Assembly session last September.
As for what was published by the media about what the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for Western Sahara, Mr. Staffan de Mistura, addressed during the closed consultations session on MINURSO, the representative of the Polisario Front at the United Nations and the Coordinator with MINURSO strongly confirmed the position issued by the Permanent Bureau of the National Secretariat of the Polisario Front on this subject on October 17, 2024.
In this regard, the Sahrawi diplomat pointed out that the Personal Envoy hinted during his last visit to the Sahrawi side that he had a proposal he would like to present, and the Sahrawi side responded immediately and categorically that it would not accept even discussing any proposal, whatever its form, that is outside the international and legal framework of Western Sahara as a decolonization issue and contradicts the mandate of MINURSO, Consequently, no proposal of any kind was discussed with the Personal Envoy.
Regarding what can be expected from the next Security Council resolution on the mandate of MINURSO, the Sahrawi diplomat stated that he does not expect the resolution to include anything new in substance, but it is very likely that the Council will decide to extend the mandate of the mission for another year, as the Secretary-General demands in his report.
In conclusion, the representative of the Polisario Front at the United Nations and Coordinator with MINURSO stressed that whatever the text of the next Security Council resolution, the constant element in the equation is the Sahrawi people, who cling to their inalienable right to self-determination and independence, and are determined to continue and escalate their struggle diplomatically, legally, human rights-wise and on the ground, and by all legitimate means, including armed struggle, to extend their sovereignty over all parts of the Sahrawi Republic.
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