Security Council concerned over lack of progress

UN Security Council members expressed “considerable concern” on Thursday over the lack of progress in resolving the dispute over Western Sahara. In a statement to reporters on behalf of the members, Council President Jeremy Greenstock, also highlighted the absence of advancement on humanitarian issues, particularly refugees, missing persons and prisoners of war, the UN reported. He called the delay in releasing those prisoners “unacceptable” and urged the Moroccan government and Polisario Front to “liberate all persons still detained in connection with the conflict.” Greenstock added that despite the lack of progress in resolving the dispute, there had been a positive reaction to the proposed extension of MINURSO in the Secretary-General’s latest report on Western Sahara. The UN Mission, whose mandate expires on 30 April, was first deployed in 1991 to conduct a referendum for the people of Western Sahara to choose between independence and integration with Morocco.