New York, 31 October 2025 (SPS) – South Africa expressed strong concerns regarding the renewal of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) mandate by the Security Council, criticizing the new resolution for favoring the Moroccan Autonomy Proposal while neglecting the self-determination and proposals of the Sahrawi people.
Speaking after the Council vote, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, Deputy Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations, stated that his country welcomed the renewal of MINURSO’s mandate until 31 October 2026 but expressed disappointment over the resolution’s approach and the way with which it was negotiated.
“We would like to express our disappointment, however, that while UN Security Council resolutions since 2007 have recognized and acknowledged both the Moroccan Autonomy Proposal, and that of the Sahrawi people, the latest resolution has taken the unfortunate step of support for conducting negotiations based only on the Moroccan Plan, while neglecting the self-determination and proposals of the Sahrawi people.”
The South African diplomat emphasized that the resolution’s focus on Morocco’s proposal as the “only framework” for negotiations undermines the core mandate of MINURSO to facilitate a referendum enabling a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable political solution that guarantees the self-determination of the Sahrawi people.
“This calls into question the core mandate of MINURSO to facilitate the holding of a referendum on giving expression to a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution, which would provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.”
South Africa, he said, reaffirms “that the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara is paramount. We will support any final decision that is taken by the Saharawi’s on this issue. Self-determination remains a principle that South Africa holds sacrosanct and applies in cases beyond that of the African continent.”
The statement also reaffirmed South Africa’s support for the important work of MINURSO and expressed full confidence in the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, Mr. Staffan de Mistura, urging the UN to take urgent steps to hold the long-promised referendum so that the Sahrawi people can exercise their fundamental right under international law.
“Through MINURSO, the United Nations must take urgent steps towards holding this long-promised referendum on self-determination so that the Saharawi people can determine their destiny. This is their fundamental right under international law.”
South Africa’s firm stance reinforces the principled support for the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination and underscores the importance of an inclusive political process for a fair and lasting settlement in Western Sahara. (SPS)
090/500/60 (SPS)
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