UN secretary-general recommends extension

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said on Tuesday that there had been no progress in the implementation of the UN Settlement Plan for Western Sahara, but recommended a two-month extension to 30 June of MINURSO, the UN mission in the territory, UN News reported. The extension is aimed at allowing the parties to explore a possible solution, UN News said. Annan’s recommendation came in his latest report to the Security Council on the mission, which was first deployed in 1991 to conduct a referendum for the people of Western Sahara to choose between independence and integration with Morocco. The report said while there has been no advancement in overcoming obstacles to the Settlement Plan, there has been some progress in determining whether Morocco, as the administrative power, “is prepared to offer or support some devolution of authority for all inhabitants and former inhabitants of the Territory that is genuine, substantial and in keeping with international norms.”