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Antonio Guterres has submitted a new report to the UN General Assembly on developments in the Sahara between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024. In his report, reviewed by Yabiladi, the Portuguese official noted that «during the reporting period, the situation in Western Sahara continued to be characterized by low-intensity hostilities between Morocco and the Frente POLISARIO». He also highlighted «some of the enduring challenges to the operational environment of MINURSO».
Cautiously, the UN Secretary-General addressed the firing of projectiles by Polisario elements at civilian targets in the town of Es-Smara. A MINURSO «investigation determined that, in an incident on October 29, high-explosive rockets launched from an easterly direction hit an area inhabited by civilians in Smara, reportedly killing one person and injuring three others».
Antonio Guterres noted that the UN mission had received information about strikes carried out by the Royal Armed Forces (FAR) «using unmanned aerial vehicles east of the berm and was able to conduct investigations at the alleged sites on various occasions». In his account, Guterres made no mention of the missiles fired by the Polisario on November 5, 2023, which fell near Es-Smara airport and a peacekeepers' observation site.
Guterres warns against «escalation»
The UN Secretary-General revealed that his «Special Representative for Western Sahara and Head of MINURSO and the Force Commander wrote to both parties to propose a cessation of hostilities during the holy month of Ramadan. The Royal Moroccan Army responded on February 26, 2024, by reiterating its commitment to the 1991 ceasefire while underscoring its right to respond to incidents by Frente POLISARIO».
On the other hand, the separatist movement expressed in its reply on March 13, 2024, that, «without addressing the root causes of the breakdown of the 1991 ceasefire, a cessation of hostilities was tantamount to ignoring the current reality on the ground».
Antonio Guterres did not hide his pessimism. «I remain deeply concerned by the developments in Western Sahara. The deteriorated state of affairs has become entrenched and must urgently be reversed, including to avoid any further escalation», he acknowledged.
«The continued hostilities and lack of a ceasefire between Morocco and Frente POLISARIO remain a major setback to the achievement of a political solution to this long-standing dispute. The conduct of aerial strikes and firing across the berm continue to contribute to increasing tensions. In this context, it is critical for a ceasefire to be re-established».
In his report, the Secretary-General recalled the visits made by his personal envoy for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, to the region in September 2023, and in February and April 2024, to convince the parties to resume the negotiation process.
The publication of this new report comes at a time when France, another permanent member of the Security Council after the United States in December 2020, has recognized Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara.
