New York (UN) – The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon reiterated his call on the parties to enter into substantive discussions on the Sahara based on the previous rounds of talks, and taking into account the latest consultations of his Personal Envoy, Christopher Ross, and called again for a population census in the Tindouf camps, Algeria.
Mr. Ban recalled, in his last report on the Sahara released on Monday in New York, that over the reporting period (April 2011/March 2012), the parties took part in three rounds of informal talks, a meeting on natural resources and another on confidence-building measures, along with a number of bilateral consultations held by his personal envoy with the parties.
The report noted that Morocco’s new constitution, which was endorsed by a public referendum on 1 July, contains provisions related to regionalisation and to the Moroccan plan for the Sahara.
It also pointed to the actions taken by Morocco in the area of human rights, and says that “in the context of King Mohammed VI’s reforms, the government established regional commissions of the National Council for Human Rights” in Laayoune and Dakhla, which became operational in December 2011.
Regarding the census, and for the third consecutive year, with Algeria continuing to refuse to allow a census of the population of the Tindouf camps, in accordance with its international obligations, the Secretary-General said that the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) “continued its dialogue with the host country.”
On the security situation, Mr. Ban expressed concern about the deterioration of security in the Sahel region, highlighting failure of coordination over regional security, the proliferation of weapons coming from Libya and the lack of resources to ensure border surveillance.
The report noted the kidnapping of three huamnitarian aid workers in Rabbouni, near Tindouf in Algeria. In this regard, Mr. Ban expressed his “sympathy” for the three and for their families and called for them to be realeased “immeditaley and without conditions.”
Regarding confidence-building measures, the Secretary-Genral commended the expansion of the family visit exchange by air.
He also praised demining actions as well as efforts to destroy explosive devices.
“In light of the continuing efforts of my Personal Envoy, I recommend that the Security Council extend the mandate of the MINURSO for a further twelve months until 30 April 2013,” he recommended.
Mr. Ban also praised Ross’s efforts with the parties in order to reach a just, lasting and mutually acceptable solution.
.
