Aalborg (Denmark) 2 April 2025 (SPS) – The Danish United Nations Association organized a seminar today, Wednesday, at Aalborg University on the question of Western Sahara and the future of the conflict, with the participation of former Commander of the UN Mission in the territory, MINURSO, General Kurt Mosgaard, as well as Hamdi Toubali, Deputy Representative of the Polisario Front to Sweden, Norway, and Finland.
The seminar was opened by the President of the Danish United Nations Association, Laff Brok, who welcomed the participants and emphasized the importance of studying and discussing the Western Sahara conflict, which remains the last decolonization case in Africa.
Former Commander of the MINURSO, Danish General Kurt Mosgaard, delivered an extensive lecture on the history of the conflict and the nature of the UN presence in Western Sahara through the MINURSO mission, which has so far failed to accomplish its mandate established since 1991.
Claudia Zelinska, a member of the Swedish United Nations Association, presented her experience visiting the Sahrawi refugee camps at the end of last year, where she highlighted that the Sahrawi people's experience in exile represents a unique example on the international stage.
Danish parliamentarian Christian Goll also spoke about the role that Scandinavian countries should play in the United Nations Security Council in ensuring respect for international law in Western Sahara and pushing for the decolonization of the territory.
On another hand, Mr. Finn Rasmussen, former head of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in East Timor, shared his experience in the Asian country, offering insight into the UN's success in decolonizing East Timor through a successful referendum.
Deputy Representative of the Polisario Front to Sweden, Norway, and Finland, Hamdi Toubali, gave a detailed presentation on the nature of the conflict, the Polisario Front's vision for a just and final solution, and the current situation.
The Sahrawi diplomat also provided several ideas that could help push the international community to take on its legal and ethical responsibilities towards the Sahrawi people and international law principles.
The seminar, which was attended by professors, students, and members of civil society from four Scandinavian countries—Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Norway—concluded with remarks from a representative of the Danish Youth Association for the United Nations. (SPS)
090/500/60 (SPS)
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