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UN 4th Committee: Kenya supports the holding of the UN self-determination referendum in Western Sahara

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New York (United Nations) 12 October 2022 (SPS)- Ambassador of Kenya to the UN, Jean Kimani, stated that her country supports the holding of a UN supervised referendum on self-determination to resolve the conflict in Western Sahara, last 10th October before the UN 4th Committee on decolonization.
“Kenya fully supports processes that will enable the implementation of the relevant United Nations resolutions, particularly the holding of the referendum in Western Sahara. These efforts should concentrate on a solution that aligns with the principles of international law, the UN Charter, and regional efforts on this issue, including the important role of the AU,” she said.
She further added that “Kenya abides by and stands guided by the Summit Decisions of the African Union (AU) and its predecessor, the Organization of African Unity (OAU), on the issue of self-determination of the peoples in Non-Self Governing territories, including the People of Western Sahara.”
In this regards she recalled of Security Council resolution 690 (1991), which “established the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), to implement the UN- OAU Settlement Plan.”
She regretted however that “to date, the people of Saharawi are yet to be afforded the opportunity to exercise their right to self-determination by way of a referendum that MINURSO was created for.” (SPS)
090/500/60 (SPS)