UN Demands Polisario End Blockade of Guerguerat Buffer Zone

In a press statement released on Saturday, Farhan Haq, the UN chief’s deputy spokesman, stressed that "regular civilian and commercial traffic must not be obstructed and no action should be taken that could alter the status quo of the Guerguerat buffer zone." In firm language, he also reiterated the United Nations’ call for "the greatest restraint and the de-escalation of any tension" in Guerguerat. He reassures the civilian population of the presence of MINURSO, which "closely monitors the situation" in the region.

This is the Polisario’s second attempt in 2020. It had already threatened to hinder the passage of the "Africa Eco Race" rally. Faced with the threat, Antonio Guterres had also demanded on January 11, in a statement made public by his spokesman, the "maintenance of regular civilian and commercial traffic" in Guerguerat.