China, Pakistan and Somalia explain Sahara abstentions
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on TSA
China, Pakistan and Somalia, which abstained on 30 October on the US draft concerning MINURSO in the Sahara, cited reservations about the text’s balance and self-determination. Among the 11 countries that voted for it, Latvia and Denmark said their vote did not recognise Moroccan sovereignty, according to TSA.
The American draft resolution on MINURSO in the Sahara received 11 votes in favour, one against and three abstentions on 30 October at the UN Security Council, before being blocked by a Russian veto. In its explanation of vote, Russia said the text favoured Morocco’s position and disregarded proposals submitted by the Polisario Front in 2007, TSA reports.
China, Pakistan and Somalia, which abstained, expressed their reservations. Beijing said some provisions steered the outcome of negotiations without sufficiently balanced consultations. Pakistan defended the right to self-determination, which it described as “sacrosanct and inviolable”, while Somalia said the draft risked prejudging the outcome of the political process.
Among the countries that voted in favour, Latvia and Denmark said their vote did not amount to recognition of Moroccan sovereignty or approval of autonomy as a predetermined outcome. Panama, which regards autonomy as a basis for negotiations, as well as the United Kingdom and Greece, which support the autonomy-based approach, reiterated their commitment to self-determination, according to TSA.
These explanations of vote follow the Russian veto of the American resolution on the Sahara on 30 October and Russia’s justification of the veto, published on 31 October.
