Chahid Al Hafed — The UN Secretary General's Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, Mr. Christopher Ross, has outlined the objectives of his visit in three main points, in a statements to the press after a meeting with the President of the Republic and Secretary General of POLISARIO Front Mr. Mohamed Abdelaziz on Sunday evening.
Speaking to the press, Mr. Ross said that the first objective of his visit is "to assess 5 years of negotiations and consider the reasons behind the lack of progress", while the second is "to look ahead to see how we can modify, improve or change the style of the negotiations process, to come up with something concrete towards the desirable goal of self-determination of the people of Western Sahara."
Ross went on saying "the third goal is to find out the impact of what is happening in North Africa and Sahel on the Western Sahara issue."
The UN Personal Envoy reiterated that his mission, as defined in UN and Security Council resolutions, aimed at "facilitating the negotiations between the parties, in order to reach a durable, mutually acceptable and fair solution ensuring right of Western Sahara people to self-determination."
The UN Envoy noted that the negotiations that have already taken place on the basis of Moroccan and Saharawi proposals "have not achieved significant progress."
He said that he held talks in Rabat, meetings in El Aaiun, meetings and talks in the Camps, and he will also held other talks in Nouakchott, Algiers, Madrid and Paris.
Mr. Ross indicated that he will submit a summary of his visit's findings and conclusions to the UN Secretary General and Security Council late this month.
He therefore confirmed his intention to work for ending suffering of the 37-year separated Saharawi families, as well as for a solution makes the building of united Arab Maghreb possible and consolidate security and stability in North Africa and the Sahel.
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“We have in the past expressed our profound and unequivocal appreciation of the important contribution that Morocco made to our own (South Africa) struggle for self-determination, within the specific contexts of the struggle against the apartheid system in our country. This created a strong base for the development of the world relations of friendship and solidarity both our countries have successfully sought to build since our liberation in 1994. In this regard, we have regretted and continue to regret the fact that, owing to unresolved question of Western Sahara, Morocco is not able to play its due role in the renewal of our continent as a full and active member of the AU” Dr Thabo Mbeki former President of South Africa. It is really sad that Morocco is dragging its feet on the matter of Western Sahara. People of Western Sahara like people of South Africa deserve self determination. We the people of South Africa under the auspices of the ANC government we will support the struggle of Western Sahara people. We will do everything in our power to raise the issue of Western Sahara, especially at UNSC.Philani.Lubanyana@EThekwini.South Africa