The United States reaffirmed its backing for Morocco’s autonomy plan on Monday, once again terming it a “serious, credible and realistic” approach to settling the regional dispute over the Sahara.
US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield reiterated the US position during the Security Council meeting addressing the extension of MINURSO’s mandate in the Sahara until October 31, 2024. She expressed satisfaction with the Security Council’s reaffirmation of support for Personal Envoy Staffan de Mistura and MINURSO through the adoption of Resolution 2703.
She urged all parties to genuinely engage with the Personal Envoy and actively pursue a sustainable political solution. She also emphasized the importance of the Polisario ensuring MINURSO’s freedom of movement along with a secure and regular logistics and resupply chain for its team sites.
In a news release issued on Monday, Morocco’s Foreign Ministry applauded the UNSC adoption of Resolution 2703. The new resolution defines “round table discussions” as the primary framework for the political process, the Ministry stated, and Algeria, as a “directly involved stakeholder,” should participate.