United Nations Security Council Resolution 1108
Encyclopedia
United Nations
Security Council Resolution
1108, adopted unanimously on May 22, 1997, after reaffirming all previous resolutions on the Western Sahara
, the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara
(MINURSO) until September 30, 1997.
The Security Council welcomed the intention of the Secretary-General Kofi Annan
to evaluate the situation in Western Sahara based on recommendations by the designated Personal Envoy. It reiterated its commitment to the holding of a free and fair referendum
for the self-determination
of the people of Western Sahara in accordance with the Settlement Plan
.
By extending the mandate until September 30, 1997, the resolution urged both parties to co-operate with James A. Baker III
, the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General and demonstrate political will to resolve the stalemate in the dispute between Morocco
and the Polisario Front
. The Personal Envoy was tasked with mandate to recommend whether the Settlement Plan could be implemented in its present form, whether mutually acceptable adjustments could be made or whether another way of resolving the conflict could be found. Finally, the Secretary-General was required to submit a report by September 15, 1997 to the Council with his evaluations on all aspects of the situation in Western Sahara.
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Security Council Resolution
United Nations Security Council Resolution
A United Nations Security Council resolution is a UN resolution adopted by the fifteen members of the Security Council; the UN body charged with "primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security"....
1108, adopted unanimously on May 22, 1997, after reaffirming all previous resolutions on the Western Sahara
Western Sahara
Western Sahara is a disputed territory in North Africa, bordered by Morocco to the north, Algeria to the northeast, Mauritania to the east and south, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. Its surface area amounts to . It is one of the most sparsely populated territories in the world, mainly...
, the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara
United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara
MINURSO is the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara. The name is a French acronym for "Mission des Nations Unies pour l'Organisation d'un Référendum au Sahara Occidental" — United Nations Mission for the organization of a Referendum in Western Sahara.-Purpose of the mission:MINURSO...
(MINURSO) until September 30, 1997.
The Security Council welcomed the intention of the Secretary-General Kofi Annan
Kofi Annan
Kofi Atta Annan is a Ghanaian diplomat who served as the seventh Secretary-General of the UN from 1 January 1997 to 31 December 2006...
to evaluate the situation in Western Sahara based on recommendations by the designated Personal Envoy. It reiterated its commitment to the holding of a free and fair referendum
Referendum
A referendum is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. This may result in the adoption of a new constitution, a constitutional amendment, a law, the recall of an elected official or simply a specific government policy. It is a form of...
for the self-determination
Self-determination
Self-determination is the principle in international law that nations have the right to freely choose their sovereignty and international political status with no external compulsion or external interference...
of the people of Western Sahara in accordance with the Settlement Plan
Settlement Plan
The Settlement Plan was an agreement between the Polisario Front and Morocco on the organization of a referendum, which would constitute an expression of self-determination for the people of Western Sahara, leading either to full independence, or integration with the kingdom of Morocco...
.
By extending the mandate until September 30, 1997, the resolution urged both parties to co-operate with James A. Baker III
James Baker
James Addison Baker, III is an American attorney, politician and political advisor.Baker served as the Chief of Staff in President Ronald Reagan's first administration and in the final year of the administration of President George H. W. Bush...
, the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General and demonstrate political will to resolve the stalemate in the dispute between Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
and the Polisario Front
Polisario Front
The POLISARIO, Polisario Front, or Frente Polisario, from the Spanish abbreviation of Frente Popular de Liberación de Saguía el Hamra y Río de Oro is a Sahrawi rebel national liberation movement working for the independence of Western Sahara from Morocco...
. The Personal Envoy was tasked with mandate to recommend whether the Settlement Plan could be implemented in its present form, whether mutually acceptable adjustments could be made or whether another way of resolving the conflict could be found. Finally, the Secretary-General was required to submit a report by September 15, 1997 to the Council with his evaluations on all aspects of the situation in Western Sahara.
See also
- History of Western SaharaHistory of Western SaharaThe history of Western Sahara can be traced back to the times of Carthaginian explorer Hanno the Navigator in the 5th century BC. Though few historical records are left from that period, Western Sahara's modern history has its roots linked to some nomadic groups such as the Sanhaja group and the...
- List of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1101 to 1200 (1997 – 1998)
- Sahrawi Arab Democratic RepublicSahrawi Arab Democratic RepublicThe Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic is a partially recognised state that claims sovereignty over the entire territory of Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony. SADR was proclaimed by the Polisario Front on February 27, 1976, in Bir Lehlu, Western Sahara. The SADR government controls about...
- Wall (Western Sahara)