US confirms support for Morocco’s Western Sahara autonomy Plan

The United States has once again confirmed its support for Morocco’s 2007 Autonomy Plan, which it says it is a realistic solution to the Western Sahara conflict.

US Deputy Representative to the UN Richard Mills reconfirmed the US’ support for the plan in a statement to the UN Security Council following the renewal of the mandate of the UN’s peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara.

“The US continues to regard Morocco’s autonomy plan as a serious, credible and realistic step toward meeting the aspirations of the local people and achieving their desire for a peaceful and prosperous future,” Ambassador Mills said.

He said, “In support of the Personal Envoy, the United States will continue to consult privately on how best to achieve a realistic, pragmatic, sustainable and mutually acceptable solution to the dispute based on compromise.”

The US’ statement following the adoption of Resolution 2602 also called on all involved parties “to demonstrate their commitment to peace by engaging in the political process without preconditions and in good faith.”

This week’s UN discussions on Western Sahara took place a few weeks after the appointment of Staffan de Mistura as the Secretary General’s Special Envoy for Western Sahara.

The UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2602 on Friday, October 29, which renews the MINURSO mission’s mandate for another year.

The resolution’s adoption saw only two abstentions from Tunisia and Russia and will ensure the UN mission’s mandate is extended prior to its expiration on October 31.

MWN/Olajumoke Adeleke