Morocco has reaffirmed its commitment to the ceasefire in Western Sahara even as the United Nations peacekeeping mission that has overseen the truce for 35 years comes to an end.
The UN Security Council was unable to secure an extension for the mission after the United States and Russia each vetoed separate draft resolutions, leaving the council deadlocked on the issue.
The peacekeeping operation, known as MINURSO, was established in 1991 to monitor the ceasefire between Moroccan forces and the Polisario Front, the liberation movement seeking independence for Western Sahara.
In a statement released after the council’s vote, Moroccan officials said the kingdom “remains fully committed to the ceasefire” and will continue to uphold the terms of the truce despite the withdrawal of UN observers.
While the ceasefire remains in effect, the termination of the UN presence raises questions about how the fragile stability in the disputed territory will be maintained moving forward.
<small>Source: Africanews — read the original story there.</small>
