France Warns Polisario: Guerguerat Blockade Threatens Sahara Peace Process

In his explanation of the vote on resolution 2548 on the Moroccan Sahara, adopted on Friday by the Security Council, Nicolas De Rivière, the permanent representative ambassador of France to the UN, clearly stated his country’s position on "the deadlock situation" that currently prevails and was caused by the Polisario and its militias in the Guerguerat buffer zone. "France is concerned" about this situation which is "likely to create tensions that could undermine the political process," said Mr. De Rivière, reports La Map.

"We fully support the statement by the Secretary-General’s spokesperson calling on the parties to exercise restraint in order to avoid any escalation, particularly in Guerguerat. We also support his call not to obstruct commercial and civilian traffic and not to change the status quo of the buffer zone. France supports the efforts of the MINURSO in this regard," said Mr. Nicolas De Rivière, who also reiterated "France’s concern" about "the increase in violations." Based on the latest report from the UN chief, the diplomat thus refers to the provocations and violations by the Polisario of the military agreements in the Sahara, which number in the thousands, calling for the full implementation of the ceasefire agreement.

Furthermore, De Rivière called for the full implementation of the ceasefire agreement. "We also reiterate our full support for MINURSO, which plays an essential role in ensuring respect for the ceasefire and is a key factor in ensuring the stability of the area. It also helps to create the conditions favorable to the resumption of the political process," he insists, arguing that his country "considers that the Moroccan autonomy plan of 2007 constitutes a serious and credible basis for discussions with a view to the resumption of the dialogue."

The ambassador reiterated France’s full support for the efforts of the UN Secretary-General in favor of a "just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution" to the Sahara issue, in accordance with the Security Council resolutions.