UN envoy proposes partitioning Western Sahara
The U.N. envoy to Western Sahara is suggesting that dividing the territory between Morocco and the pro-independence Polisario Front could be one way to settle the decades-long conflict
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. envoy to Western Sahara suggested dividing the territory between Morocco and the pro-independence Polisario Front as a way to settle the decades-long conflict.
Staffan de Mistura proposed partition as one potential way to satisfy both sides and give residents a chance to decide under who they want to live, according to a briefing provided to a closed meeting of the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday, which was obtained by The Associated Press.
“Such an option could allow for the creation on the one hand of an independent state in the southern part, and on the other hand the integration of the rest of the Territory as part of Morocco, with its sovereignty over it internationally recognised,” he said.
The idea of partition isn't new. In a never-enacted agreement, Mauritania ceded the southern part of Western Sahara to Polisario when it withdrew in 1979. Former envoy James Baker floated partition more than two decades ago.
