New York (United Nations), November 12, 2026 (SPS) – The Permanent Representative of the Frente POLISARIO to the United Nations, Dr. Sidi Mohamed Omar, affirmed that the Sahrawi people and leadership are prepared to confront any Moroccan military escalation targeting the liberated territories of the Sahrawi Republic following the failure to renew the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO).
In an interview with PassBlue, a publication specializing in UN affairs, Sidi Mohamed Omar said the Sahrawi position remained firm and principled, stressing that the Frente POLISARIO would not compromise the Sahrawi people's inalienable right to self-determination in exchange for the continued presence of MINURSO.
He stated that any attempt by Morocco to seize additional Sahrawi territory would be met with resistance, reaffirming the Sahrawi people's determination to defend their land by all available means.
Commenting on the Security Council's divisions over the US draft resolution and the Russian counter-proposal, the Sahrawi diplomat said the United States had maintained its initial draft without accepting amendments to provisions affecting the right to self-determination, despite efforts to persuade it to reconsider its position.
He described the choice facing the Sahrawi people as one between preserving their right to self-determination and maintaining MINURSO, stressing that the former could not be sacrificed for the latter.
Sidi Mohamed Omar also conveyed the frustration among Sahrawi refugees and people in the liberated territories over MINURSO's failure, over more than three decades, to fulfil its primary mandate of organizing a self-determination referendum.
Regarding the next steps, he expressed hope that the situation would remain calm pending the launch of a new political process. He recalled UN Secretary-General António Guterres's commitment to continuing efforts towards a mutually acceptable solution that guarantees the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination.
He emphasized that the departure or termination of MINURSO's mandate would not affect the Sahrawi people's inalienable rights or the United Nations' responsibility to uphold them.
The statements come amid the Frente POLISARIO's announcement of a heightened state of readiness and general mobilization in response to any potential Moroccan military escalation.
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