Ireland: Any final settlement in Western Sahara must have consent and confidence of Sahrawi people

IrelandUNGA
Fri, 11/13/2026 - 21:16

New York, 13 November 2026 (SPS) – Ireland has stressed that any final political settlement of the conflict in Western Sahara must be realistic and lasting, and based on a credible mechanism that enjoys the consent and confidence of the Sahrawi people.

This position was expressed by Ireland’s representative in a statement before the United Nations General Assembly, reaffirming her country’s support for the efforts of the UN Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy, Staffan de Mistura. She underlined that the consent and confidence of the Sahrawi people are essential to achieving a lasting solution.

Ireland also expressed concern over the termination of the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) without prior transitional arrangements, warning of the potential impact on three decades of achievements. It stressed the need for an orderly transition, the protection of civilians and close consultation with local stakeholders, including women, youth and civil society.

Dublin further renewed its call for comprehensive reform of the Security Council, emphasizing the importance of the General Assembly’s role in holding the Council accountable and addressing the consequences of disruptions to its work.

Share