The Secretary-General submitted his report on the Sahara on Tuesday, ahead of the end of the MINURSO mandate period, reviewing recent developments, the political process, and the challenges facing the UN Mission while detailing key actions taken since October 2023.
“The situation in Western Sahara continued to be characterized by tensions and low-intensity hostilities between Morocco and Polisario,” warned the Secretary-General, stressing that the political process remains challenging despite ongoing efforts by Personal Envoy Staffan de Mistura.
The Secretary-General recommended that the Security Council extend “the mandate of MINURSO for another year until 31 October 2025,” emphasizing the UN’s commitment to finding a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable political solution to this conflict.
However, the report noted Morocco’s commitment to supporting UN efforts for a political solution based on the Moroccan Autonomy plan as a key development during the Secretary-General mandate, additionally highlighting the royal vision of the Atlantic coastline as a gateway connecting Africa and the Americas.
The report included France’s recent endorsement of Morocco’s autonomy plan for the Sahara, which Algeria’s Foreign Ministry in response expressed profound disapproval and withdrew its ambassador to France. For its part, the Polisario condemned the decision, deeming France unwelcome, including its role in MINURSO.
The Secretary-General also noted that Chad opened a consulate general in Dakhla, a decision condemned by the Polisario, and emphasized that Morocco intensified infrastructure, renewable energy projects, and commercial activities west of the berm.
The same source noted MINURSO’s reports of ongoing tensions between the Polisario and the Royal Moroccan Army, including alleged shootings and aerial strikes near the berm, particularly in Mahbas and Mijek.
It highlighted a Polisario rocket hitting a civilian area in Smara, resulting in one death and three injuries, along with two other rockets landing near the team site without causing casualties, as well as other incidents in the area, while emphasizing MINURSO’s efforts to monitor and investigate these events.
The report also highlighted the RMA’s commitment to agreements and its right to defense in response to a proposed ceasefire during Ramadan to reduce the tension, while the Polisario Front criticized the proposal, arguing that it did not address the root causes of the conflict.
To advance the political process, the report highlighted the Secretary-General’s meeting with Brahim Ghali, during which he reaffirmed his commitment to resolving the conflict per relevant UN resolutions. It also emphasized de Mistura’s consultations with various actors, including Morocco, the Polisario, Algeria, Mauritania, and members of the Security Council, among others.
The UN Personal Envoy also met with officials from the U.S., Spain, South Africa, Russia, the UK, France, and Germany to discuss the Sahara conflict, emphasizing the need for a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable political solution, while the officials expressed support for the UN’s efforts to facilitate a settlement.
The report additionally highlighted MINURSO’s operational activities in the Sahara, including ground patrols covering approximately 386,675 kilometers and 140 aerial reconnaissance flights west of the berm.
It also discussed the challenges faced by MINURSO, including restrictions imposed by the Polisario Front on ground patrol movements and the denial of access to areas east of the berms for helicopter reconnaissance flights since November 2020.
Despite these challenges, MINURSO has made progress in strengthening coordination with the RMA through several meetings, while “direct communication with Frente POLISARIO has remained limited to written correspondence.”
For mining activities, the report mentioned that the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) resumed demining operations east of the berm, and cleared land. UNMAS teams had assessed 14,032 kilometers of routes and cleared more than 3.4 million square meters of land. Meanwhile, the RMA reported clearing 189.09 million square meters of land west of the berm.
However, 23 minefields and 40 cluster strike areas remained uncleared, with 13 explosive hazard accidents reported involving civilians and military personnel.
The report additionally highlighted the security challenges faced by MINURSO in the Sahara due to ongoing low-intensity hostilities and the presence of unexploded ordnance.
It stated that MINURSO has enhanced security measures, including installing safety bunkers at team sites, and noted that both Morocco and the Polisario Front are responsible for the safety of UN personnel, with MINURSO expressing confidence in their commitment.
The same source shed light on MINURSO’s civilian activities, including monitoring developments in the Sahara and meeting with officials from Morocco, Algeria, and the Polisario front.
The report noted other challenges for MINURSO, including improved access near the berm but ongoing difficulties in gathering first-hand information and verifying reported developments on the ground due to the inability to meet with the Polisario front.
Also, security concerns affected operations west of the berm, while logistical issues east improved, enabling regular ground convoys and solar installations.
The Secretary-General warned of the deteriorating situation in the Sahara and the lack of a full ceasefire between Morocco and the Polisario Front, calling for urgent action to prevent further escalation.
He urged all parties to work towards a mutually acceptable political solution with the support of the United Nations and the international community.
The Secretary-General expressed regret over the lack of progress in the relationship between Algeria and Morocco, urging them to resume dialogue and work towards regional cooperation to create a more peaceful and secure environment.
He reiterated his call for “Morocco to refrain from building military infrastructure west of the berm and urged the RMA to avoid military activities that harm civilians or interfere with MINURSO’s operations east of the berm.”
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