Politics

As Russia vetoed the US-drafted Sahara resolution at the UN Security Council, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s aircraft stopped in Casablanca on both legs of his journey to the United States. They were merely refueling stops. But the contrast is striking nonetheless.

In a statement published on Sunday, November 1, Russian diplomacy blames the United States for the demise of the UN mission in the Sahara. But it leaves out one crucial detail: Russia’s own veto defeated the only resolution that could have extended its mandate.

The American Jewish Committee sees Morocco as a model of interfaith understanding that could be replicated around the world. During a visit to Casablanca, Jason Isaacson, the organization’s Chief Policy and Political Affairs Officer, spoke to Le360 about the foundations of a centuries-old relationship and the values of coexistence championed by the Kingdom.

The political scientist says the failure to renew the UN mission’s mandate has opened a new phase in the Sahara issue, while Morocco remains committed to the ceasefire.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres acknowledged the end of MINURSO on November 1 and announced that the mission would begin winding down. His statement makes no mention of a referendum or any return to the past. MINURSO is now history, and the UN is calling on the parties to help ensure its withdrawal as quickly as possible.

Nasser Bourita appeared on a special program broadcast by 2M on Saturday, October 31, to discuss the end of the mandate of the MINURSO. The minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates said Russia’s veto had come as “no surprise” to Morocco, which had anticipated the move. He presented the situation as an opportunity to change rules inherited from the past and reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to the ceasefire. Below is the full transcript of his remarks.

Hundreds of residents of Laayoune took to the streets on Friday, October 30, to celebrate the announcement that MINURSO’s mandate would end. The public show of support echoed the unanimous backing expressed by elected officials and local leaders, who described the development as a historic milestone for the Kingdom’s sovereignty.

Acting on the instructions of King Mohammed VI, Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan launched, Saturday in the commune of Iaazzanene (Nador Province), operations at the first container terminal at the Port of Nador West Med, marking the inaugural step in the operationalization of the Nador West Med industrial-port complex, which mobilized MAD 54 billion of public and private investment.

Twenty-four hours after the UN Security Council vote, Algeria’s Foreign Ministry finally broke its silence. Its statement did not celebrate a victory. Instead, it expressed the government’s “deep regret” over the end of MINURSO’s mandate. It blamed the US draft resolution, while making no mention of the Russian veto that Algerian diplomacy had sought.