United Nations Security Council Resolution 1979

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UN Security Council
Resolution 1979
Tifaritibombed.jpg
Bomb damage in the town of Tifariti from the Western Sahara conflict
Date27 April 2011
Meeting no.6,523
CodeS/RES/1979 (Document)
SubjectThe situation concerning Western Sahara
Voting summary
  • 15 voted for
  • None voted against
  • None abstained
ResultAdopted
Security Council composition
Permanent members
Non-permanent members

United Nations Security Council Resolution 1979, adopted unanimously on April 27, 2011, after reaffirming all previous resolutions on the Western Sahara including 1754 (2007), 1783 (2007), 1813 (2008), 1871 (2009) and 1920 (2010), the Council discussed prospects for a settlement of the dispute and extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) until April 30, 2012. [1]

Contents

The resolution did not include a monitoring mechanism for human rights in the mandate of MINURSO, amid disagreements among diplomats. [2] [3] The Security Council was criticised by some nations including South Africa and Nigeria of hypocrisy–where MINURSO would be the only United Nations peacekeeping mission without a human rights mandate. [4] However, it did mention human rights for the first time. [5] Both Morocco and the Polisario Front welcomed the resolution; Morocco praised it for recognizing Morocco's offer of autonomy to Western Sahara, while the Polisario Front noted the increased use of human rights language in the text. [3]

Resolution

Observations

The Security Council reaffirmed its commitment in assisting Morocco and the Polisario Front for a lasting, mutually acceptable solution which provides for self-determination for the people of Western Sahara. In this regard, full co-operation was required from the concerned parties and neighbouring states in the region with the United Nations. It noted proposals submitted to the Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon by both parties and invited them to demonstrate their political will to resolve the conflict. At the same time, several rounds of negotiations were also recognised, and stressed the need for both sides to adhere to their obligations, particularly as there was an increase in violations of previous agreements.

The preamble of the resolution also stressed the importance of improving the human rights situation in Western Sahara and the refugee camps in Tindouf, Algeria. It welcomed the establishment of a human rights council in Morocco and the implementation of a refugee protection programme by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in co-ordination with the Polisario Front. [3] The resolution anticipated family visits by land and by air, with full co-operation from the UNHCR.

Meanwhile, the Council determined that the status quo was unacceptable, and welcomed the commitment of both sides to continue negotiations for the benefit of the people in the territory.

Acts

Both parties were urged to adhere to the military agreements reached with MINURSO regarding a ceasefire. The parties were called upon to continue to show political will and continue unconditional negotiations under the auspices of the Secretary-General, and the commitment of Morocco and the Polisario Front to hold talks in preparation for a fifth round of negotiations was welcomed by the Council. Assistance was from other countries was invited in this regard, including funding for confidence-building measures such as family visits.

Finally, the Secretary-General was requested to keep the Council regularly informed on progress made during the negotiations and reflect on difficulties facing MINURSO. He was also required to make sure both parties complied with MINURSO with regards to the United Nations sexual exploitation and abuse policy and for troop-contributing countries to ensure full accountability.

See also

Related Research Articles

United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara United Nations peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara

The United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara is the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara, established in 1991 under United Nations Security Council Resolution 690 as part of the Settlement Plan, which had paved way for a cease-fire in the conflict between Morocco and the Polisario Front over the contested territory of Western Sahara.

United Nations Security Council Resolution 1495

United Nations Security Council resolution 1495, adopted unanimously on 31 July 2003, after recalling all previous resolutions on the situation in Western Sahara, particularly Resolution 1429 (2002), the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) until 31 October 2003 and supported the Baker Plan put forth by James Baker III, who was at that time the Special Representative for Western Sahara of the Secretary-General Kofi Annan, as a replacement of the 1991 Settlement Plan. The resolution, adopted after significant changes to the original draft, was welcomed by the Polisario Front, which supported the Baker Plan, but not by Morocco, which resisted it.

Western Sahara conflict Armed conflict between Morocco and the Polisario Front

The Western Sahara conflict is an ongoing conflict between the Polisario Front and the Kingdom of Morocco. The conflict originated from an insurgency by the Polisario Front against Spanish colonial forces from 1973 to 1975 and the subsequent Western Sahara War against Morocco between 1975 and 1991. Today the conflict is dominated by unarmed civil campaigns of the Polisario Front and their self-proclaimed SADR state to gain fully recognized independence for Western Sahara.

United Nations Security Council Resolution 1720

United Nations Security Council Resolution 1720, adopted unanimously on October 31, 2006, after recalling all previous resolutions on the situation in Western Sahara, including resolutions 1495 (2003), 1541 (2004) and 1675 (2006), the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) for six months until April 30, 2007.

Manhasset negotiations

The Manhasset negotiations were a series of talks that took place in four rounds in 2007–2008 at Manhasset, New York between the Moroccan government and the representatives of the Saharawi liberation movement, the Polisario Front to resolve the Western Sahara conflict. They were considered the first direct negotiations in seven years between the two parties. Also present at the negotiations were the neighboring countries of Algeria and Mauritania.

United Nations Security Council Resolution 1754

United Nations Security Council Resolution 1754, adopted unanimously on April 30, 2007, after recalling all previous resolutions on the situation in Western Sahara, the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) for six months until October 31, 2007.

United Nations Security Council resolution 1002, adopted unanimously on 30 June 1995, after recalling resolutions 621 (1988), 658 (1990), 690 (1991), 725 (1991), 809 (1993), 907 (1994), 973 (1995) and 995 (1995), the Council discussed the implementation of the Settlement Plan in Western Sahara and extended the mandate of United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) until 30 September 1995.

United Nations Security Council Resolution 1017

United Nations Security Council resolution 1017, adopted unanimously on 22 September 1995, after recalling resolutions 621 (1988), 658 (1990), 690 (1991), 725 (1991), 809 (1993), 907 (1994), 973 (1995), 995 (1995) and 1002 (1995), the Council discussed the implementation of the Settlement Plan in Western Sahara and extended the mandate of United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) until 31 January 1996.

United Nations Security Council Resolution 1084

United Nations Security Council resolution 1084, adopted unanimously on 27 November 1996, after reaffirming all previous resolutions on the Western Sahara, the Council discussed the implementation of the Settlement Plan for Western Sahara and extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) until 31 May 1997.

United Nations Security Council Resolution 1920

United Nations Security Council Resolution 1920, adopted unanimously on April 30, 2010, after reaffirming all previous resolutions on the Western Sahara including 1754 (2007), 1783 (2007), 1813 (2008) and 1871 (2009), the Council discussed prospects for a settlement of the dispute and extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) until April 30, 2011.

United Nations Security Council Resolution 1108

United Nations Security Council resolution 1108, adopted unanimously on 22 May 1997, after reaffirming all previous resolutions on the Western Sahara, the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) until 30 September 1997.

United Nations Security Council Resolution 1198 United Nations Security Council resolution

United Nations Security Council resolution 1198, adopted unanimously on 18 September 1998, after reaffirming all previous resolutions on the Western Sahara, the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) until 31 October 1998.

United Nations Security Council Resolution 1204

United Nations Security Council resolution 1204, adopted unanimously on 30 October 1998, after reaffirming all previous resolutions on the question of the Western Sahara, the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) until 17 December 1998.

United Nations Security Council resolution 1215, adopted unanimously on 17 December 1998, after reaffirming all previous resolutions on the question of the Western Sahara, in particular Resolution 1204 (1998), the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) until 31 January 1999 to allow for further consultations between parties.

United Nations Security Council Resolution 1232

United Nations Security Council resolution 1232, adopted unanimously on 30 March 1999, after reaffirming all previous resolutions on the question of the Western Sahara, the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) until 30 April 1999.

United Nations Security Council resolution 1238 extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) until 14 September 1999. It was adopted unanimously on 14 May 1999, after reaffirming all previous resolutions on the question of the Western Sahara.

United Nations Security Council Resolution 1394

United Nations Security Council resolution 1394, adopted unanimously on 27 February 2002, after reaffirming all previous resolutions on Western Sahara and its commitment to achieve a lasting solution to the dispute, the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) until 30 April 2002.

United Nations Security Council Resolution 1429

United Nations Security Council resolution 1429, adopted unanimously on 30 July 2002, after recalling all previous resolutions on the situation in Western Sahara, particularly resolutions 1359 (2001) and 1394 (2001), the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) for six months until 31 January 2003.

United Nations Security Council Resolution 1634

United Nations Security Council Resolution 1634, adopted unanimously on 28 October 2005, after recalling all previous resolutions on the situation in Western Sahara, including resolutions 1495 (2003), 1541 (2004) and 1598 (2005), the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) until 30 April 2006.

United Nations Security Council Resolution 1813 was unanimously adopted on 30 April 2008.

References

  1. ↑ "Security Council extends mandate of UN Mission for Referendum in Western Sahara until 30 April 2012". United Nations. 27 April 2011.
  2. ↑ "UN Security Council Resolution on Western Sahara". Radio Cadena Agramonte (Cuba). 28 April 2011.
  3. 1 2 3 Worsnip, Patrick (28 April 2011). "No rights role yet for UN mission in W. Sahara". Reuters. Archived from the original on 16 August 2011.
  4. ↑ "Security Council accused of hypocrisy over Western Sahara". Scoop.co.nz. 29 April 2011.
  5. ↑ "UN extends peacekeepers in Western Sahara". Taiwan News . 28 April 2011.
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