South Africa Voices Disappointment Over UN’s Rejection of Polisario Proposal
South Africa expressed disappointment after the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 2797 on October 31, which leaned in favor of Morocco’s position on Western Sahara.
“We are disappointed that, although Security Council resolutions since 2007 have considered both the Moroccan autonomy proposal and the Sahrawi people's aspirations, the latest resolution exclusively favors the Moroccan plan for negotiations, thereby sidelining self-determination and the Sahrawi proposals,”
declared Marthinus van Schalkwyk, South Africa's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN.
According to van Schalkwyk, framing the resolution around the Moroccan proposal as the “sole framework” for negotiations undermines the mission of MINURSO, whose role is to facilitate a referendum ensuring the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination and a fair, lasting political solution.
Since 2004, South Africa has officially recognized the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic and has been a consistent supporter of the Polisario Front in both African and international organizations. However, this commitment now seems to be waning.
Author’s Summary
South Africa criticized the UN’s latest resolution for favoring Morocco’s autonomy plan over the Sahrawi right to self-determination, signaling a possible shift in its long-standing support for Polisario.