New York (United Nations), October 14, 2025 (SPS) – The Sahrawi cause received renewed and stronger support during the discussions of the United Nations General Assembly’s Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee), where several countries called for the completion of MINURSO’s mandate and the holding of a referendum to enable the Sahrawi people to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination and independence.
The representative of Uganda reaffirmed his country’s support for the universally recognized principles upholding the right of the people of Western Sahara to self-determination, and for constructive approaches aimed at achieving a peaceful resolution to the conflict through dialogue and political means, as recommended by the United Nations. He emphasized the need for the international community to work collaboratively to build a conducive political environment and a sound framework and procedures to realize the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination, thereby ensuring regional and international peace.
The representative of Mozambique stated that his country continues to be deeply concerned by the lack of progress toward achieving self-determination in Western Sahara. He reaffirmed Mozambique’s steadfast support for the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination and independence in accordance with the UN Charter, General Assembly Resolution 1514 (XV), and all relevant resolutions of the African Union and the United Nations.
He commended the efforts of the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy and called for the immediate renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), with the inclusion of a human rights component and a clear roadmap toward the long-promised referendum.
The representative of Timor-Leste (East Timor) expressed her country’s particular concern about the situation in Western Sahara, recognized as the last remaining colony in Africa and listed as a Non-Self-Governing Territory since 1963.
She called for strengthening MINURSO’s mandate — including a dedicated human rights monitoring component — and for ensuring humanitarian access and promoting diplomatic dialogue, in full compliance with international law and relevant Security Council resolutions.
She concluded by stressing that any proposed permanent solution to the question of Western Sahara must be based solely on the will of the Sahrawi people, expressed through a free and fair referendum, and not on the preferences of external parties.
The representative of Iran reaffirmed the United Nations’ responsibility toward the people of Western Sahara and their inalienable right to self-determination, as stipulated in relevant UN resolutions. He recalled that more than 60 years have passed since the UN Special Committee on Decolonization declared Western Sahara a Non-Self-Governing Territory, and numerous resolutions since then have reaffirmed the Sahrawi people’s right to freely determine their future.
In this regard, he called for a serious and responsible commitment to negotiations under UN auspices, conducted in good faith and without preconditions, in accordance with the UN Charter, with the aim of achieving a just, lasting, comprehensive, and mutually acceptable solution to the question of Western Sahara.
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