Accepting Status Quo on Western Sahara 'Serious Miscalculation,' Warns UN Envoy
New York, Nov 28 2012 - The conflict over the final status of the territory of Western Sahara has gone on for far too
long and must be resolved, the United Nations envoy dealing with the issue stressed today, adding that any acceptance of
the status quo a "serious miscalculation."
Christopher Ross, the Secretary-General's Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, told reporters at UN Headquarters that the
situation remains "very worrisome" and should remain on the radar of the international community.
"While some may believe that the status quo is stable and that it is risky to take chances for peace, I believe that
this is a serious miscalculation, particularly now that the region is threatened by extremist, terrorist and criminal
elements operating in the Sahel," he said, following his closed-door briefing to the Security Council.
"In these new circumstances, this conflict could, if left to fester, feed growing frustration and spark renewed violence
and hostilities that would be tragic for the peoples of the region," he added.
"This conflict must be resolved and I believe that it can be resolved if there is a will to engage in real dialogue and
compromise."
The UN has been involved in mediation efforts to find a settlement in Western Sahara since 1976, when fighting broke out
between Morocco and the movement known as Frente Polisario, after the Spanish colonial administration of the territory
ended. A UN peacekeeping force, known as the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) has also been in
place since 1991.
Mr. Ross shared with the Council the findings and recommendations that emerged from his visit to North Africa from 25
October to 11 November, during which he visited Morocco and the Polisario leadership, as well as neighbouring countries
Algeria and Mauritania. He met with political leaders, civil society representatives and senior government authorities
at each stop.
He also visited Western Sahara for the first time and met with a broad range of Sahrawis there and elsewhere, as well as
held consultations in Madrid and Paris.
With regard to next steps, Mr. Ross said that he did not believe that convening another round of informal talks
immediately would advance the search for a solution.
"We have had nine such rounds since August 2009 without results on the core issue of the future status of Western
Sahara," he noted, adding that he intends to focus on additional consultations with key international stakeholders and
then to engage in a period of "shuttle diplomacy" with the parties and neighbouring States in the context of one or more
visits to the region, including to Western Sahara.
"It is my hope that these activities will lay the groundwork for effective resumption of face-to-face meetings between
the parties," he said. "The parties and the neighbouring States, as well as members of the Security Council have
welcomed this approach and have stated their readiness to continue to work with me in the coming months.
"I must stress that the principal responsibility for making progress rests with the parties themselves," he added. "That
said, the UN will spare no effort to assist them."
For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
ENDS