Although the conflict in Western Sahara is not reported by the international media, and the public opinion's awareness about it is fairly low, this neither changes its decolonization character nor does it diminish the international responsibility in the search for a just and lasting solution for it.
From a Spanish colony, since 1884, Western Sahara became the theatre of a war of aggression carried out by Morocco since 1975, against all International Organisations's Principles and Resolutions.
Since 1966, the UN General Assembly has continuously reiterated in its resolutions the colonial nature of the territory of Western Sahara and claimed for its people their rights for self-determination and independence, in accordance with Resolution 1514(XV) of the same Assembly.
In October 1975, the International court of Justice, in its verdict on Western Sahara, announced that the territory has never been part of none of the neighbouring countries's territories and that its population has the right to self-determination.
The Organisation of African Unity (OAU), in various resolutions of its highest organs has, indefatigably, claimed that the Saharawi people should enjoy these ligitimate rights in a free and democratic manner. In 1984, the OAU, convinced of the legitimacy of the Saharawi cause, decided to recognise and accept as a full member the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR).
The convergence of the positions of the UN and OAU has led,in 1988, to the drafting of what becomes to be known as the "Joint Proposals", which later on were presented to and accepted by the two parties( Morocco and the Polisario), and were used as main basis for the preparation of a more comprehensive peace plan for Western Sahara.
On the basis of the mentioned joint proposals, the United Nations, through its Security Council, adopted in 1990 Resolutions 658 and 690, giving birth to a very well detailed peace plan.
The implementation of the Plan started in 1991, and several stages were scheduled:
During the identification process, the spirit and letter of the peace plan were violated in its most sensitive part: the criteria for identification of voters.
The addition of new criterias, imposed by Morocco and not refused by the UN, would, eventually give the chance to vote to any Moroccan citizen if he/she expresses the desire to do so.
Six years later and with 250 Million Dollars wasted, the peace plan was scaled down and reduced to its minimum expression: a mere operation of monitoring the cease-fire and, what is worst, an international protection to the Moroccan occupation of Western Sahara.
The Moroccan intransigence, the complicity of certain powers, the inefficiency and lack of moral authority of UN and the corruption of some of its staff-members are not strange to the failure of this peace operation.
The history of talks between Morocco and the Polisario Front is very long and full of obstacles and set-backs.
The two parties met for the first time in 1978, in Bamako( Mali), followed by many other meetings in Lisbon, Geneva, Marrakech, Elayoune, New York, to mention only a few. The last meeting took place in Rabat on 5 and 6 September 1996.
The common denominator of all those meetings was the lack of political willingness shown by Morocco and its unchanged attitude to refuse any acceptable solution.
The growing conviction is that for any future negotiations to be meaningful and bear some tangible results, they have to be demanded and supported by the international community, as it was the case for Bosnia, Palestine and others, and be conducted in accordance with classic procedures such as neutral venue, clear and transparent agenda and participation of a third party, which could be a country, group of countries or an international organisation.
Any other attempt of dialogue outside this frame work would only be an illusion without future and a waste of precious time.
The current situation of "Neither war nor solution" of the Western Sahara conflict can not last indefinitely.
It's obvious that this status-quo situation benefits only the Moroccan side, which does not want the war to re-ignite, while reinforces its colonial occupation, exploits the local natural resources and refuses any solution which does not meet its expansionist desires.
The colonial character of the issue of Western Sahara makes it an obligation and responsibility of the Security Council to prevent and avoid that the frustration of the Saharawi side and the harsh conditions endured in the long and apparently endless exile will not lead to recurrence of tension in a region already too traumatised and vulnerable.
It is believed that only a substantial action from the Security council, through the use of the some kind of pressure on Morocco, would bring the two parties to the negotiating table and resume a responsible dialogue to bring about a just and lasting solution to this long-lasting issue.
Any individual or collective initiative to persuade the Security Council or any of its members to follow the above mentioned course of action will be welcomed and highly appreciated.
The solution of the Western Sahara conflict will close a sad chapter in the history of the Maghreb and it will open the doors for a bright future of cooperation and good-neighbourhood among the peoples of the region. It will also put an end to a regional source of tension and contribute to international peace and stability.
Copyright © 1997
Uploaded 21 March 1997
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