Morocco made no effort to save MINURSO after Russian veto
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on TelQuel
Morocco knew a Russian veto could prevent the renewal of MINURSO’s mandate and took no initiative to save the mission, according to a senior Moroccan official cited by TelQuel. The position follows the rejection of the US draft at the Security Council, as the mission’s mandate was due to expire on 31 October.
Morocco had assessed the cost of MINURSO disappearing, the UN mission tasked with monitoring the ceasefire in the Sahara, before the vote marked by a Russian veto. Rabat concluded that keeping the mission would cost it more than its end, according to a senior Moroccan official cited by TelQuel.
The kingdom knew that the US draft resolution could be rejected and made no effort to secure the mission’s continuation, according to TelQuel. The Royal Cabinet statement was published at 9.27pm, as MINURSO’s mandate was due to expire on 31 October.
The position follows the Russian veto of the US resolution on the Sahara and Washington’s expression of regret over MINURSO’s expiry, announced on 30 October. Morocco later said it expected the imminent withdrawal of MINURSO from the Sahara.
