Washington says MINURSO is doomed after 35 years
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Libération (Maroc)
US ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz said MINURSO had become the symbol of a project doomed to fail after 35 years without achieving its initial objective. He defended ending the mission before the Security Council, according to Libe Maroc.
The US ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, said that MINURSO, the UN mission in the Sahara, had become the symbol of a “project doomed to fail” after 35 years of existence. He was speaking before the Security Council on Friday to explain the United States’ refusal to renew its mandate, according to Libération (Morocco).
Mike Waltz said the mission had not achieved its initial objective and that, according to its own staff, it spent about 80% of its time on resupply. He recalled that in 2002, former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan had already proposed ending its mandate.
The US ambassador also referred to the humanitarian situation in the Tindouf camps, where, according to UN findings cited by Libération, two-thirds of children under five suffer from anaemia, one-third have stunted growth and only 10% receive a minimally acceptable diet. He called for diplomatic efforts to continue and for a new approach to be attempted after the mandate was not renewed.
This position follows the vote on MINURSO’s future, followed by Russia’s veto of the US resolution on the Sahara on 30 October. The mission’s mandate was due to expire on 31 October, according to Washington.
