UN Appoints Western Sahara Envoy After Two-year Search
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published October 07, 2021 | 09:20 AM
United Nations, United States, Oct 6 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 7th Oct, 2021 ) :United Nations veteran diplomat Staffan de Mistura was named Wednesday as the organization's envoy to the Western Sahara conflict, nearly two and a half years after the post had become vacant as a dozen other candidates were rejected by either Morocco or the Polisario Front rebel movement.
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric called Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's nomination of the 74-year-old Italian a "positive signal," after such a long selection process.
Dujarric said De Mistura would be set to take over the position, which has been empty since May 2019, on November 1.
Morocco had initially rejected De Mistura -- the thirteenth name floated for the job -- as envoy in May before finally accepting the nomination under pressure from the United States, according to diplomats.
He will be based in Brussels, where he already lives, according to the UN.
The Security Council plans to discuss MINURSO, the Western Sahara peace mission, during a closed-door meeting next week, before the mission is set to be renewed October 27, likely for one year.
De Mistura "brings more than 40 years of experience in diplomacy and political affairs" to the post, according to a UN statement.
He will succeed former German president Horst Kohler, who stepped down in 2019 after making little progress on ending the conflict despite having restarted talks between Morocco, the Polisario Front and regional powers Algeria and Mauritania.
De Mistura, who speaks English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Swedish and Arabic, was previously the UN special envoy for Syria from 2014 to 2018 and was the special representative for the UN secretary-general in Iraq in the late 2000s and in Afghanistan in the early 2010s.
- Question of control - The United States "warmly welcomes" De Mistura's appointment, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement, offering support for a political process to bring a "durable and dignified" end to the conflict.
"We will actively support his efforts to promote a peaceful and prosperous future for the people of Western Sahara and the region," the statement said.
It made no mention of the fact that former US president Donald Trump recognized Morocco's claims to the entirety of the Western Sahara. This was seen as a reward for Morocco's joining a handful of other Arab states last year in normalizing ties with Israel.
A UN official speaking on condition of anonymity said that it is in the United States' interest to remain ambiguous in this conflict.
"It suits them. They cannot annul Trump's decision without altering the relationship created in the exchange between Morocco and Israel," this official said.
"And they cannot confirm it as they would go against UN resolutions," the official said, adding that remaining on the fence allows the US to keep pressuring Morocco.
The UN considers Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony, a "non-self-governing territory," with the question of its control up in the air for decades. The issue has pitted Morocco against the independence-seeking Polisario Front, which is backed by Algeria.
Rabat, which controls 80 percent of the vast soil-rich desert territory -- bordering rich fishing grounds -- has proposed a plan for Western Sahara self-governance under Moroccan sovereignty.
The Polisario continues to demand a UN-supervised self-determination referendum, which was agreed to in a 1991 ceasefire accord but has still never taken place.
In a statement, the Polisario said only that it "has taken note" of De Mistura's appointment.
It said the peace process has seen "extremely dangerous developments" since November of last year because Morocco has undermined the mandate of the UN peacekeeping force.
And the Polisario insisted that a self-determination vote is the only way to achieve lasting peace in the territory.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Army committed to dismantle terrorist groups, ensure protection of people: DG IS ..
"The New realme Note 50 Breaks Sales Records for The Month of April”
Vivo Y100 is Now Available in Pakistan with Color Changing Design & 80W FlashCha ..
Zero-tolerance policy to continue against overbilling: Mohsin Naqvi
Govt working to extend retirement age to 65 years: Finance Minister
Synergy Group wins big at the Effie Awards 2024
ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Indian board makes important statement
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 7 May 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 07 May 2024
Sharjah Animation Conference explores cross-cultural collaboration opportunities ..
Sharjah Public Library provides countless opportunities for young imaginations t ..
Sharjah Police launches 'Your belongings, your responsibility' awareness campaig ..
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Concerted efforts urged to ease traffic flow on city roads
2 days ago -
Land degradation: A threat to food security
2 days ago -
Revamping health sector, a gigantic task ahead
2 days ago -
American band promotes intercultural harmony thru music fusions
3 days ago -
Waste Management – A persistent challenge for MWMC
4 days ago -
Experts for ending child labour
6 days ago
-
Labour Day - A reminder for better facilities to workers
6 days ago -
Stage Drama Mohabati Manhoon presents in Arts council Larkana
9 days ago -
Wheat farmers in a fix on price, procurement mechanism
9 days ago -
Modern tools to help transform crime investigation procedures
9 days ago -
Sanam Marvi captivates audience with mesmerizing performance
10 days ago -
Modern Education Techniques: A pathway to achieve economic development
11 days ago