Rahabi analyses impact of Russia’s veto on MINURSO
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on TSA
Former Algerian minister Abdelaziz Rahabi says Russia’s veto of a US resolution on the Sahara will have consequences for MINURSO’s future. He calls in particular for a debate in the UN General Assembly and criticises Western support for Morocco, according to an analysis published by TSA.
Former Algerian minister and ambassador Abdelaziz Rahabi says countries that supported Morocco must bear the consequences of MINURSO’s new status, the UN mission in the Sahara, after Russia vetoed a US resolution. He says the mission must not be reduced to a temporary body and will not leave the Sahara, according to an analysis published on his social media on 1 November and reported by TSA.
Abdelaziz Rahabi believes a debate should now take place in the UN General Assembly, where all states have equal status, following Russia’s use of its veto. He considers the vote the first Russian position, for or against, after eight years of abstaining on resolutions concerning the Sahara file. He also accuses the United States of trying to impose its position as the drafter of the resolution proposals, without winning the confidence of the Polisario Front, Algeria and Mauritania, according to TSA.
His analysis comes after the failure to extend MINURSO’s mandate on 1 November, followed by the halt to its operations and the UN’s launch of its liquidation. The halt to MINURSO’s operations follows Russia’s veto of the US resolution on the Sahara, cast on 30 October.
