No response from the UN to Donald Trump’s announcement of the recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara by the United States, while Morocco confirms that it recognizes Israel’s legitimacy. Nor had the Security Council responded last month to Rabat’s intrusion into the area monitored by MINURSO, the UN force for organizing a referendum in Western Sahara, which has broken a 30-year ceasefire with Polisario.
The announcement of Donald Trump, wrote our correspondent in New York, Carrie Nooten,First of all, New York allowed to understand the underside of the game that has been played since last month: if Morocco launched an invasion of the buffer zone under UN surveillance, it really is because Rabat is known to be protected.
If the Security Council has not reacted at all, it is probably because it was influenced by the country overseeing Western Sahara, which is none other than the United States. Not to mention that some members of the P5, such as France, are openly pro-Moroccan.
Most members of the Council then expect to know more: to them, the announcement looks like an international transaction, which may have nothing to do with Western Sahara. They also wonder if this position will continue during the Biden administration.
Russia, for its part, has not yet responded to the UN, but its deputy foreign minister said yesterday that Donald Trump’s words violate international law and undermine efforts in the region.
South Africa condemns the US position
The ruling party in South Africa reacted and condemned the US position. South Africa, increasingly isolated in its fight for the Saharawi cause, continues to show unwavering support for the separatists from the Polisario Front.
In its statement, the ANC does not put into words: “It is unfortunate that President Trump is trying to introduce his reactionary foreign policy” when he is to leave the White House. The ANC believes that the attitude of the American president does not contribute to a peaceful resolution of the conflict, but on the contrary feeds hatred and disagreement.
South Africa has always shown unconditional support for the Sahrawi cause due to the historical links between their independence movements. Pretoria considers Western Sahara to be one of the last colonized territories on the African continent and has made it one of its workhorses.
A few days ago, South African Cyril Ramaphosa, the current president of the African Union, expressed his deep concern about the current situation in Western Sahara. A situation that requires “all possible efforts to facilitate the people’s self-determination,” he said.
The African Union has also decided to put the Western Sahara issue back on the agenda of the Peace and Security Council. A gesture that is perceived as another step towards self-determination.
Algeria and Nigeria are still the other two supporters of the Sahrawi affair, while this year almost ten African countries froze their relations with Western Sahara, under pressure from Morocco.
At present, the UN confirms that no reaction from the Polisario side has been recorded on the ground.
►To read: The Polisario Front condemns the US position in Western Sahara
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