TROOP CONTRIBUTING COUNTRIES (TCC) UNITED NATIONS MISSION FOR THE REFERENDUM IN WESTERN SAHARA (MINURSO)
Mr. President,
I join previous speakers in commending SRSG Alexander Ivanko, for the comprehensive report which highlights the new developments on the field as well as initiatives geared towards improving the operational effectiveness, and achieving the mandate of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO).
Ghana recognizes the key role that Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) through the United Nations play in the maintenance of international peace and security and the instrumentality of peacekeeping as a vital tool in these efforts. As one of the pioneering Troop Contributing Countries of the United Nations peacekeeping efforts, Ghana has in total volunteered approximately 100,000 uniformed personnel as well as civilians in various capacities in more than 35 UN Missions around the world. Our uniformed personnel have served with pride and distinction since 1960s. It is with pride that l mention that the Acting Force Commander of MINURSO is a Ghanaian female Soldier.
Mr. President,
We are delighted by the fact that MINURSO continued to strengthen its effort to improve its gender balance. It is worth noting that the percentage of women observers increased to 33 percent of the deployed strength, which is the highest representation in field missions and already exceeds the target of 19 percent for 2022 set in the Uniformed Gender Parity strategy 2018 – 2028. The military component of MINURSO as at 31 August consisted of 227 personnel of which 74 are women.
We wish to commend the Government of Morocco, Frente POLISARIO and the Government of Algeria for their sustained effort and cooperation on COVID-19 related issues which ensured that MINURSO military personnel and civilian staff continued receiving vaccinations provided in the Territory West of the berm by the Royal Moroccan Army and the Ministry of Health of Morocco, and in Tindouf by the Algerian health authorities. The report that all military staff had received two doses of the vaccine, with 79 per cent having also received a third booster dose as at 31st August, 2022, is very encouraging.
Mr, President,
We have noted that MINURSO continued to enjoy relative freedom of movement on the West of the berm as well as the cooperation and communications support at the strategic level under the Command of the Royal Moroccan Army during the reporting period. However the same cannot be said about the East of the berm that is controlled by the Frente POLISARIO. The report that the MINURSO Acting Force Commander has not been able to establish direct contact with the leadership of the Frente POLISARIO, and all communications were conducted only by way of written correspondence is a source of concern.
I wish to underscore the fact that the lack of access to areas near the berm continues to pose significant challenges to a free unimpeded execution of the mandate of MINURSO. The inability of the Special Representative to meet with Frente POLISARIO representatives in Rabouni, in line with established practice, is also a source of grave concern.
The foregoing impedes the operational effectiveness of the Mission personnel and undermines the mandate of the Mission. We, therefore, call on all parties and stakeholders to cooperate fully with the SRSG, the military and civilian personnel of MINURSO, and other stakeholders to ensure unfettered access to the affected areas within the jurisdiction of the Mission.
We are equally worried about the fact that despite the reported low-intensity of hostilities in the Mission area between the Royal Moroccan Army and Frente POLISARIO throughout the reporting period, MINURSO assessed that there was a renewed threat of landmines and explosive remnants of war in the Territory, including in areas previously deemed safe since 2020. The presence of unexploded ordnance and explosive remnants of war also constitute a potential threat to UN personnel, assets and resources. We urge all stakeholders to cooperate with MINURSO to address the risk posed by the unexploded ordinance and explosives within the mission’s area of jurisdiction.
Mr. President,
In concluding, I wish to highlight the fact that the achievement of the mandate of all UN Missions requires the commitment of all peacekeeping actors and stakeholders, to provide the necessary logistics, funding, legal regulatory framework and unfettered support for the assurance of troops of a smoother, more sustainable political transitions. In this regard, Ghana wishes to reiterate its call that there should be early, close, and regular dialogue among the Secretariat, Troops Contributing Countries (TCCs), host countries, partners and other stakeholders to help address the various challenges faced by peacekeepers and TCCs in particular.
I thank you for your attention.