| UNSecurity Council Resolution 1979 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Bomb damage in the town ofTifariti from the Western Sahara conflict | ||||
| Date | 27 April 2011 | |||
| Meeting no. | 6,523 | |||
| Code | S/RES/1979 (Document) | |||
| Subject | The situation concerning Western Sahara | |||
Voting summary |
| |||
| Result | Adopted | |||
| Security Council composition | ||||
Permanent members | ||||
Non-permanent members | ||||
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United NationsSecurity Council Resolution 1979, adopted unanimously on April 27, 2011, after reaffirming all previous resolutions on theWestern Sahara including1754 (2007),1783 (2007),1813 (2008),1871 (2009) and1920 (2010), the Council discussed prospects for a settlement of the dispute and extended the mandate of theUnited Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) until April 30, 2012.[1]
The resolution did not include a monitoring mechanism for human rights in the mandate of MINURSO, amid disagreements among diplomats.[2][3] The Security Council was criticised by some nations includingSouth Africa andNigeria of hypocrisy–where MINURSO would be the onlyUnited Nations peacekeeping mission without a human rights mandate.[4] However, it did mention human rights for the first time.[5] BothMorocco and thePolisario Front welcomed the resolution; Morocco praised it for recognizing Morocco's offer ofautonomy to Western Sahara, while the Polisario Front noted the increased use of human rights language in the text.[3]
The Security Council reaffirmed its commitment in assistingMorocco and thePolisario Front for a lasting, mutually acceptable solution which provides forself-determination for the people of Western Sahara. In this regard, full co-operation was required from the concerned parties and neighbouring states in the region with the United Nations. It noted proposals submitted to theSecretary-GeneralBan Ki-moon by both parties and invited them to demonstrate their political will to resolve the conflict. At the same time, several rounds of negotiations were also recognised, and stressed the need for both sides to adhere to their obligations, particularly as there was an increase in violations of previous agreements.
The preamble of the resolution also stressed the importance of improving thehuman rights situation in Western Sahara and therefugee camps inTindouf,Algeria. It welcomed the establishment of a human rights council in Morocco and the implementation of a refugee protection programme by theUnited Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in co-ordination with the Polisario Front.[3] The resolution anticipated family visits by land and by air, with full co-operation from the UNHCR.
Meanwhile, the Council determined that the status quo was unacceptable, and welcomed the commitment of both sides to continue negotiations for the benefit of the people in the territory.
Both parties were urged to adhere to the military agreements reached with MINURSO regarding aceasefire. The parties were called upon to continue to show political will and continue unconditional negotiations under the auspices of the Secretary-General, and the commitment of Morocco and the Polisario Front to hold talks in preparation for a fifth round of negotiations was welcomed by the Council. Assistance was from other countries was invited in this regard, including funding for confidence-building measures such as family visits.
Finally, the Secretary-General was requested to keep the Council regularly informed on progress made during the negotiations and reflect on difficulties facing MINURSO. He was also required to make sure both parties complied with MINURSO with regards to the United Nationssexual exploitation and abuse policy and for troop-contributing countries to ensure full accountability.
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