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UN Security Council extends mission mandate in Western Sahara

Xinhua, April 29, 2015 Adjust font size:

The UN Security Council on Tuesday extended the mandate of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara, known as MINURSO, for another year.

In a unanimously adopted resolution, the 15-nation body decided to extend the mandate of MINURSO until 30 April 2016.

MINURSO, founded in 1991, is tasked with monitoring a ceasefire in Western Sahara between Morocco and the Frente Polisario, both of which claimed the region after the Spanish colonial administration of the land ended in 1976.

In the resolution, the Council called upon all parties to " cooperate fully with the operations of MINURSO, including its free interaction with all interlocutors, and to take the necessary steps to ensure the security of as well as unhindered movement and immediate access for the United Nations and associated personnel in carrying out their mandate, in conformity with existing agreements."

Highlighting the importance of negotiations, the resolution welcomed the parties' commitment to continue the process of preparation for a fifth round of negotiations, and stressed that realism and a spirit of compromise by the parties are essential to achieve progress in negotiations."

It also urged member states to provide voluntary contributions to fund confidence-building measures agreed upon between the parties, including those that allow for visits between separated family members, as well as food programs to ensure that the humanitarian needs of refugees are adequately addressed. Endite