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UN Responds: Western Sahara Peace Process Continues, No New Proposals


By: ATN News


UNHQ, New York: Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Farhan Haq responded to questions from ATN News about the present situation of Western Sahara at the Friday, October 18th, 2024, daily press briefing at the United Nations.


First seeking confirmation on whether the Secretary-General had approved the resubmission of a proposal—one first put up two decades ago by former UNSG Special Envoy to Western Sahara James Baker. The proposed division of the territory had been fiercely rejected at the time. There were suggestions that Mr. de Mistura had just revived this idea in a recent consultation, sparking rumors of a new direction of approach.


Haq responded quickly to dispute any such classification. "I wouldn't characterize anything as a proposal's submission," he said. Haq highlighted instead that Mr. de Mistura's most recent report to the Security Council was an update on his continuous efforts with the relevant parties meant to further the peace process constructively. The next consultations on Western Sahara are set for April 2025, he pointed out, where more talks will be conducted to decide the course forward.


The second section of the investigation focused on Mr. de Mistura's management of communications, asking why the Member States and media received his briefing transcript—a change from his usually understated manner. The reporter also pondered about whether this would indicate a fresh transparency, maybe resulting in de Mistura personally answering the press at next UN conferences.


Haq said simply that "the nature of the UN is sometimes documents get to people." He did not specifically address Mr. de Mistura's communication approach. He refrained from remarking on the sharing of internal documents but made no hint that Mr. de Mistura would be showing up in the briefing room anytime soon.


Haq stayed firm when asked another follow-up question on whether the Secretary-General personally approved of the resurrected concept. He underlined that rather than pushing a particular idea, Mr. de Mistura's efforts were on working with the parties and the Security Council to investigate potential solutions. Haq said, stressing the continuous nature of the diplomatic activity around Western Sahara, "I wouldn't mischaracterize what Mr. de Mistura is doing."


The press briefing highlighted the sensitive nature of the Western Saharan situation, which has been in flux for decades due to conflicting land claims and a lengthy war. The sessions of De Mistura continue; it is still to be seen what, if any, real progress will follow before the next closed discussions in 2025.


This conversation between the press and the UN spokesman highlights the challenge of addressing a historically rooted issue where just the allusion to a past plan may generate global attention and worsen tensions. Mr. de Mistura works as the world waits for greater advancements in this unsolved issue.

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