The newly adopted UN Security Council Resolution on the Sahara highlights Morocco’s efforts to settle the Sahara conflict through the autonomy initiative and calls on the other parties, notably Algeria, to uphold their responsibility in settling the conflict, Morocco’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Omar Hilale said. Speaking at a press conference following the unanimous adoption by the Security Council of the resolution, Hilale welcomed the renewal of the MINURSO’s mandate for another year expiring on April 30, 2018. “Morocco welcomes the adoption of the Security Council resolution and expresses heartfelt thanks to the US penholder for elaborating such a negotiated text that was successfully adopted unanimously,” Hilale said. He added that this resolution pays tribute to Morocco’s efforts to settle the artificial dispute over the Sahara and holds other parties responsible under international law. He explained that the Separatists had to withdraw in order to avoid a condemnation by the Security Council and that the 2351 resolution continues to express concerns over the Polisario’s presence in the buffer zone.

Source: The North Africa Journal April 29, 2017 21:22 UTC