United Nations Security Council Resolution 1979
Encyclopedia
United Nations
Security Council Resolution
1979, adopted unanimously on April 27, 2011, after reaffirming all previous resolutions on the Western Sahara
including 1754
(2007), 1783
(2007), 1813
(2008), 1871
(2009) and 1920
(2010), the Council discussed prospects for a settlement of the dispute and extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara
(MINURSO) until April 30, 2012.
The resolution did not include a monitoring mechanism for human rights in the mandate of MINURSO, amid disagreements among diplomats. The Security Council was criticised by some nations including South Africa
and Nigeria
of hypocrisy–where MINURSO would be the only United Nations peacekeeping mission without a human rights mandate. However, it did mention human rights for the first time. Both Morocco
and the Polisario Front
welcomed the resolution; Morocco praised it for recognizing Morocco's offer of autonomy
to Western Sahara, while the Polisario Front noted the increased use of human rights language in the text.
and the Polisario Front
for a lasting, mutually acceptable solution which provides for self-determination
for the people of Western Sahara. In this regard, full co-operation was required from the concerned parties and neighbouring states in the region with the United Nations. It noted proposals submitted to the Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
by both parties and invited them to demonstrate their political will to resolve the conflict. At the same time, several rounds of negotiations were also recognised, and stressed the need for both sides to adhere to their obligations, particularly as there was an increase in violations of previous agreements.
The preamble of the resolution also stressed the importance of improving the human rights
situation in Western Sahara and the refugee camps in Tindouf
, Algeria
. It welcomed the establishment of a human rights council in Morocco and the implementation of a refugee protection programme by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
(UNHCR) in co-ordination with the Polisario Front. The resolution anticipated family visits by land and by air, with full co-operation from the UNHCR.
Meanwhile, the Council determined that the status quo was unacceptable, and welcomed the commitment of both sides to continue negotiations for the benefit of the people in the territory.
. The parties were called upon to continue to show political will and continue unconditional negotiations under the auspices of the Secretary-General, and the commitment of Morocco and the Polisario Front to hold talks in preparation for a fifth round of negotiations was welcomed by the Council. Assistance was from other countries was invited in this regard, including funding for confidence-building measures such as family visits.
Finally, the Secretary-General was requested to keep the Council regularly informed on progress made during the negotiations and reflect on difficulties facing MINURSO. He was also required to make sure both parties complied with MINURSO with regards to the United Nations sexual exploitation and abuse
policy and for troop-contributing countries to ensure full accountability.
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"....
1979, adopted unanimously on April 27, 2011, 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...
including 1754
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1754
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1754, adopted unanimously on April 30, 2007, after recalling all previous resolutions on the situation in Western Sahara, the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara for six months until October 31,...
(2007), 1783
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1783
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1783 was unanimously adopted on 31 October 2007.- Resolution :The Security Council today extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara for six months, until 30 April 2008.In the unanimously adopted resolution 1783...
(2007), 1813
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1813
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1813 was unanimously adopted on 30 April 2008.- Resolution :Following extensive consultations, the Security Council this evening extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara for one year, until 30 April 2009.In...
(2008), 1871
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1871
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1871 was unanimously adopted on 30 April 2009.- Resolution :The Security Council today extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara by one year, until 30 April 2010.Unanimously adopting resolution 1871 , as...
(2009) and 1920
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1920
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1920, adopted unanimously on April 30, 2010, after reaffirming all previous resolutions on the Western Sahara including 1754 , 1783 , 1813 and 1871 , the Council discussed prospects for a settlement of the dispute and extended the mandate of the United...
(2010), the Council discussed prospects for a settlement of the dispute and 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 April 30, 2012.
The resolution did not include a monitoring mechanism for human rights in the mandate of MINURSO, amid disagreements among diplomats. The Security Council was criticised by some nations including South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
and Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
of hypocrisy–where MINURSO would be the only United Nations peacekeeping mission without a human rights mandate. However, it did mention human rights for the first time. Both 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...
welcomed the resolution; Morocco praised it for recognizing Morocco's offer of autonomy
Autonomy
Autonomy is a concept found in moral, political and bioethical philosophy. Within these contexts, it is the capacity of a rational individual to make an informed, un-coerced decision...
to Western Sahara, while the Polisario Front noted the increased use of human rights language in the text.
Observations
The Security Council reaffirmed its commitment in assisting MoroccoMorocco
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...
for a lasting, mutually acceptable solution which provides for 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...
for the people of Western Sahara. In this regard, full co-operation was required from the concerned parties and neighbouring states in the region with the United Nations. It noted proposals submitted to the Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
Ban Ki-moon
Ban Ki-moon is the eighth and current Secretary-General of the United Nations, after succeeding Kofi Annan in 2007. Before going on to be Secretary-General, Ban was a career diplomat in South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in the United Nations. He entered diplomatic service the year he...
by both parties and invited them to demonstrate their political will to resolve the conflict. At the same time, several rounds of negotiations were also recognised, and stressed the need for both sides to adhere to their obligations, particularly as there was an increase in violations of previous agreements.
The preamble of the resolution also stressed the importance of improving the human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
situation in Western Sahara and the refugee camps in Tindouf
Tindouf
Tindouf is the main town in Tindouf Province, Algeria, close to the Mauritanian and Moroccan borders. The region is considered of strategic significance, and it houses Algerian military bases. Since 1975, it also contains several Sahrawi refugee camps operated by the Polisario Front a guerrilla...
, Algeria
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
. It welcomed the establishment of a human rights council in Morocco and the implementation of a refugee protection programme by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees , also known as The UN Refugee Agency is a United Nations agency mandated to protect and support refugees at the request of a government or the UN itself and assists in their voluntary repatriation, local integration or resettlement to...
(UNHCR) in co-ordination with the Polisario Front. The resolution anticipated family visits by land and by air, with full co-operation from the UNHCR.
Meanwhile, the Council determined that the status quo was unacceptable, and welcomed the commitment of both sides to continue negotiations for the benefit of the people in the territory.
Acts
Both parties were urged to adhere to the military agreements reached with MINURSO regarding a ceasefireCeasefire
A ceasefire is a temporary stoppage of a war in which each side agrees with the other to suspend aggressive actions. Ceasefires may be declared as part of a formal treaty, but they have also been called as part of an informal understanding between opposing forces...
. The parties were called upon to continue to show political will and continue unconditional negotiations under the auspices of the Secretary-General, and the commitment of Morocco and the Polisario Front to hold talks in preparation for a fifth round of negotiations was welcomed by the Council. Assistance was from other countries was invited in this regard, including funding for confidence-building measures such as family visits.
Finally, the Secretary-General was requested to keep the Council regularly informed on progress made during the negotiations and reflect on difficulties facing MINURSO. He was also required to make sure both parties complied with MINURSO with regards to the United Nations sexual exploitation and abuse
Sexual exploitation and abuse in humanitarian response
The sexual exploitation and abuse of beneficiaries by humanitarian workers first came to public attention with the release of a report in February 2002 of a joint assessment mission looking into the issue...
policy and for troop-contributing countries to ensure full accountability.
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...
- Legal status of Western Sahara
- List of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1901 to 2000 (2009 – 2011)
- 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)