Polisario’s persistent breach of ceasefire agreement pushes for calls to cancel buffer zone

Considering the continued breach of the 1991 ceasefire agreement in the buffer zone, several Moroccans, including former Morocco’s head of government Saad Dine El Otmani, have called for its cancellation and the deployment of the Moroccan army to secure civilian areas.

This call comes in the light of the persistent attempt of the separatist Polisario Front to drag Morocco into war following its diplomatic setbacks, along with Algeria, against the international community.

Moussaoui Ajlaoui, an International Relations expert and researcher, told Hespress Ar that the ceasefire agreement was not a product of a mutual agreement between Morocco and Polisario Front.

It was, rather, a proposal put forward by the UN General Secretary, which the separatists approved on June 10th, 1991, and subsequently accepted by Morocco the following day.

“What happened was that the Polisario withdrew its ceasefire agreement with the UN Secretariat, not with Morocco, and this withdrawal does not concern the Kingdom,” explained Ajlaoui.

He highlighted that even during the clearing of the Guerguerat crossing, King Mohammed VI, while speaking to the UN Secretary-General, reiterated the Kingdom’s adherence to the ceasefire agreement and the ongoing political process facilitated by the UN.

Subsequently, the Royal Armed Forces stated Military Agreement No.1, signed with MINUSO in January 1998.

According to the expert, this demonstrates Morocco’s commitment to its international obligations and refusal to engage in Polisario manipulations.

He stressed that the Kingdom can never withdraw without officially notifying the UN Secretary-General.

However, as long as this does not occur, Morocco does not consider current events to have altered the reality on the ground, added the same person.

“As long as the situation remains unchanged, Morocco will continue to fulfill its obligations to the UN and respond resolutely to any breaches,” concluded Ajlaoui.

Abdelouahed Oulad Mouloud, International Relations and African studies expert, warned that the Polisario Front’s persistent breaches of the buffer zone ceasefire and provocations could escalate conflict in the region in a statement to Hespress AR.

Given their diplomatic setbacks, he noted that this is their ultimate objective, along with Algeria.

The expert emphasized that the Polisario Front bears full responsibility for all incidents that occur in the Sahara in terms of violations, and the UN remains a key party in the ceasefire resolution.

“It is essential for Morocco to take necessary actions before the UN, as they bear full responsibility for securing the buffer zone, given that the Front has breached this area. Consequently, this situation cannot be ignored,” explained Oulad Mouloud.

“Morocco must take action to call on the UN Security Council and the international envoy, to re-secure this area. Hence, the Kingdom has the right to respond if the provocations and violations by the Front persist,” concluded the expert in a statement to Hespress AR.