Spain Rejects Referendum, Backs UN-Led Solution for Western Sahara Dispute

Before the Heads of State, Governments and delegations of the 193 countries gathered in New York, President Sanchez indicated that the path to a "political, just, lasting and mutually acceptable" solution to the artificial conflict around the Moroccan Sahara lies exclusively with the UN.

For Spain, there is no question of holding any referendum for the settlement of this dispute.

This option, moreover obsolete, "unrealistic and unachievable," by the UN’s own admission, has been definitively buried in favor of the political, negotiated and mutually acceptable solution.

Pedro Sanchez’s statement from the UN General Assembly podium aligns with the path of law and reason. The settlement goes through the political process under the auspices of the UN.

Before the august UN Assembly, Madrid confirms in a loud and clear voice that the referendum option in the Sahara is definitively buried. In doing so, Spain joins the position widely defended by the international community.

According to it, the solution to the Sahara issue can only be political, mutually acceptable and negotiated on the basis of realism and the spirit of compromise and the preeminence of the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative.

In this regard, the Security Council, the only one empowered to deliberate on this file, according to the UN Charter, has consistently welcomed the seriousness and credibility of this Initiative.