Sahrawi government condemns Morrocan decision on UN envoy

The Polisario Front and the Government of the Saharawi Republic consider unfounded and arbitrary the decision of the Kingdom of Morocco to withdraw their confidence in the envoy of the UN Secretary General Staff, Mr. Christopher Ross, to pursue the mission entrusted by the United Nations Secretary General and Security Council for finding a just and lasting solution to the conflict in Western Sahara by ensuring the right of the Saharawi people to self-determination.

This decision, both serious and unjustified, is an intolerable affront by Morocco against the international community, the Secretary General and the Security Council which, in its resolution 2044 of 24 April 2012, found the status quo to be unacceptable and "reaffirmed its support for the personal envoy of the UN Secretary General for Western Sahara, Christopher Ross, and the action he is undertaking to facilitate negotiations between the parties".

By taking these measures, Morocco is seeking to arrogate without shame the right to dictate to the Secretary General the nature of his relations with the Security Council and to determine the conduct of the Secretary General’s personal Envoy in Western Sahara. It is also trying to destroy the credibility and neutrality of the MINURSO operation, which accuses Morocco, in the latest report of the Secretary General, of blocking the peace process and continuing to violate human rights with impunity in the occupied Sahrawi territories.

The Polisario Front and the government of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, renewing the will of the Saharawi authorities to support and cooperate sincerely with the efforts of the Secretary General and his envoy, Mr. Christopher Ross, to complete the process of decolonization of Western Sahara, is launching an urgent appeal to the Security Council to take the necessary measures to safeguard and protect the authority of the United Nations and the credibility of its peacekeeping actions in Western Sahara against the threats of mission drift and the consequences of the strategies of avoidance pursued by Morocco.

Bir Lahlou, May 17, 2012

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