Self-Determination Remains Core of Western Sahara Process, UN Report States
The United Nations Secretary-General's recent report on Western Sahara emphasizes the unwavering centrality of self-determination to the political process, according to a careful analysis. This position aligns with the long-held stance that any mutually acceptable solution must ensure the self-determination of the Sahrawi people, with the question of self-determination and sovereignty remaining crucial and unresolved.
The report further specifies that any proposed solution necessitates a significant consultation with the Sahrawi people, guaranteeing them a free and voluntary choice to accept or reject it. This consultation is deemed essential to prevent the Sahrawi people from being deprived of their inalienable right. The UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy for Western Sahara clarified that Resolution 2797 provides a framework for negotiations without prescribing a specific outcome, thus allowing for discussions without automatically recognizing Moroccan autonomy as the sole resolution.
The report maintains the Polisario Front as a direct interlocutor and representative of the Sahrawi people, despite attempts to challenge its status. Critically, the UN Secretary-General's conclusions explicitly state that Moroccan autonomy is not necessarily the predetermined outcome of negotiations, but rather a starting point. This underscores that self-determination remains an explicit part of the political framework, requiring a negotiated solution with international guarantees.
