Equatorial Guinea denounces Russian veto on MINURSO
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Ahora EG
Equatorial Guinea denounced at the UN the Russian veto that prevented the renewal of MINURSO’s mandate in the Sahara. Its representative Ndong Mba warned of the legal and operational vacuum created since 31 October, during a General Assembly debate on 10 November.
Equatorial Guinea criticised Russia’s veto that blocked the renewal of MINURSO’s mandate at the UN Security Council on 30 October, the UN mission tasked with maintaining peace in the Sahara, during a General Assembly debate held on Tuesday 10 November in New York. Equatorial Guinean diplomat Ndong Mba said the absence of a mandate creates a legal and operational vacuum for the territory’s population and the countries providing personnel to the mission.
Ndong Mba also criticised the use of the veto when, in his view, it serves particular interests. He advocated reform of the Security Council giving Africa two permanent seats with veto power and five non-permanent seats, in accordance with the Ezulwini Consensus, the Sirte Declaration and the Tripoli Document.
Equatorial Guinea also supported the efforts of Staffan de Mistura, the UN secretary-general’s personal envoy for the Sahara. The General Assembly debate followed the rejection, on 30 October, of a US proposal to renew MINURSO’s mandate and the failure of a second initiative presented by Moscow to obtain the necessary votes, according to Ahora EG.
The debate follows the UN General Assembly’s examination of the Russian veto on MINURSO, announced on 10 November.
