As planned, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution, extending the mandate of the MINURSO for 12 months, until 31 October 2020 by 13 votes in favor to none against, with 2 abstentions (Russia and South Africa). On Wednesday, the UN Security Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) for 12 months, adopting resolution 2494. The latter is meant to «sustain the renewed negotiation process» and invite Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania and the Polisario to «meet again». On the same day, Council members affirmed «support for MINURSO and for a just, lasting, mutually acceptable peace in Western Sahara, based on principles of the Charter of the United Nations». They also called upon «the parties to resume negotiations without preconditions and in good faith, and upon all parties to cooperate fully with MINURSO, including through the Mission's free interaction with interlocutors». «The process must move forward» In its resolution, the Security Council referred to the two proposals submitted by Morocco and the Polisario to put an end to the conflict in April 2007. The UN body described Morocco's autonomy plan as a «serious and credible» initiative and «took note» of that presented by the Polisario. The Security Council stressed upon the need of conducting a «census for refugees in the Tindouf camps» and insisted that «efforts must be made in this regard». The Ministers have also urged the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to come up with confidence-building measures between the parties involved in the conflict and invite neighboring states to support their efforts. After voting the resolution, Michael Barkin, Senior Policy Advisor for the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, stressed that «it is most important that the political process continues without delay», adding that «the mandate renewal does not mean a return to business as usual». «The process must move forward», Barkin argued. «A lasting breakthrough will require the willingness of all involved to approach negotiations with a genuine desire to make progress». Michael Barkin For his part the Russian ambassador cautioned «against predetermining the outcome of the talks or altering previous agreements, emphasizing that it is unacceptable to dilute previously agreed parameters and thereby undermining the core principles that could pave the way to a mutually acceptable settlement».
