Washington regrets Russian veto as MINURSO expires on 31 October
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Yabiladi
The United States regrets Russia’s veto blocking its draft resolution on MINURSO and the political process in the Sahara. US ambassador Mike Waltz says the veto will lead to the mission’s mandate expiring on 31 October, according to a statement from the US mission to the UN.
US ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz regretted Russia’s veto of the US draft resolution on the Sahara conflict. He said the veto would lead to MINURSO’s mandate expiring on 31 October, according to a statement reported by Yabiladi.
The US draft provided for extending MINURSO’s mandate by 12 months, supporting the UN secretary-general’s personal envoy, Staffan de Mistura, and calling for the registration of refugees in the Tindouf camps by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Mike Waltz also accused Moscow of refusing the Russian alternative text after Washington’s draft was rejected.
Washington said it was ready to work with the UN secretary-general on a gradual and orderly withdrawal of MINURSO, while ensuring the protection of UN personnel and taking humanitarian and security needs into account. This position comes after the Russian veto of the US resolution and the rejection of the Russian draft to extend MINURSO, announced on 30 October.
