logo
  • National

    National

    2019 Hajj Pilgrims To Pay Over 19k
    • 2/14/2019 4:22:30 AM
    • 6

    2019 Hajj Pilgrims To Pay Over 19k

    Gov't Partners Solin For Affordable Housing Using Polystyrene Concrete Technology
    • 2/12/2019 2:15:59 PM
    • 4

    Gov't Partners Solin For Affordable Housing Using Polystyrene Concrete Technology

    Northern Excellence Awards To Honour Development Oriented Individuals & Organizations
    • 2/13/2019 1:38:52 AM
    • 4

    Northern Excellence Awards To Honour Development Oriented Individuals & Organizations

    St. Mary's SHS Marks 69th Speech & Prize Giving Day
    • 2/13/2019 2:46:56 AM
    • 4

    St. Mary's SHS Marks 69th Speech & Prize Giving Day

  • World

    World

    Fire Hits Nigerian Election Office Days Before Vote
    • 2/13/2019 12:58:12 PM
    • 4

    Fire Hits Nigerian Election Office Days Before Vote

    Traumatised Nigerian Widows Confront Shell In Dutch Court
    • 2/12/2019 3:50:07 PM
    • 3

    Traumatised Nigerian Widows Confront Shell In Dutch Court

    US Slams Repression In Zimbabwe
    • 2/12/2019 10:09:26 PM
    • 3

    US Slams Repression In Zimbabwe

    El Chapo Found Guilty
    • 2/12/2019 10:11:45 PM
    • 3

    El Chapo Found Guilty

  • Business

    Business

    Local contractors plead with gov't to pay for completed projects
    • 2/13/2019 4:48:23 AM
    • 5

    Local contractors plead with gov't to pay for completed projects

    Global Oil Supply To Swamp Demand In 2019
    • 2/13/2019 12:57:43 PM
    • 5

    Global Oil Supply To Swamp Demand In 2019

    Ghana Link, UNIPASS dragged to court
    • 2/13/2019 8:11:01 PM
    • 4

    Ghana Link, UNIPASS dragged to court

    Economist fingers banking crisis for cedi fall
    • 2/14/2019 5:21:17 AM
    • 4

    Economist fingers banking crisis for cedi fall

  • Technology

    Technology

    Google and Facebook 'need fake news regulator'
    • 2/12/2019 3:46:22 PM
    • 4

    Google and Facebook 'need fake news regulator'

    Unraveling the journey of Vodafone 4G
    • 2/13/2019 12:10:56 AM
    • 4

    Unraveling the journey of Vodafone 4G

    Siemens launches FABRIC to turn urban data into dynamic visualisation of Jamestown
    • 2/12/2019 1:53:35 PM
    • 1

    Siemens launches FABRIC to turn urban data into dynamic visualisation of Jamestown

    Siemens partners WestPark to build industrial and business park in Africa
    • 2/13/2019 8:22:54 PM
    • 0

    Siemens partners WestPark to build industrial and business park in Africa

  • Sport

    Sport

    CAF CC: 'Rally Behind Us' - Amos Frimpong To Kotoko Supporters
    • 2/12/2019 11:11:08 AM
    • 3

    CAF CC: 'Rally Behind Us' - Amos Frimpong To Kotoko Supporters

    England World Cup Winner Gordon Banks Dies
    • 2/12/2019 10:25:22 PM
    • 3

    England World Cup Winner Gordon Banks Dies

    Dauda Mohammed Reveals His Football Idol
    • 2/12/2019 9:32:07 AM
    • 2

    Dauda Mohammed Reveals His Football Idol

    Lampard plays down talks of Chelsea return
    • 2/12/2019 10:21:21 AM
    • 2

    Lampard plays down talks of Chelsea return

  • Entertainment

    Entertainment

    Nana Kwame Bediako steps out with Mary J Blige at the BAFTA 2019
    • 2/12/2019 6:06:56 PM
    • 17

    Nana Kwame Bediako steps out with Mary J Blige at the BAFTA 2019

    Photos: John Mahama is 'grandfather', 'daughter' welcomes baby boy
    • 2/13/2019 8:18:34 PM
    • 5

    Photos: John Mahama is 'grandfather', 'daughter' welcomes baby boy

    A/R: Val's Day Bash To Rock Abrantie Spot In Agogo
    • 2/14/2019 12:27:35 AM
    • 5

    A/R: Val's Day Bash To Rock Abrantie Spot In Agogo

    Princess Shyngle Quells John Dumelo For 'Advising' iPhone Aficionados
    • 2/12/2019 8:02:13 PM
    • 4

    Princess Shyngle Quells John Dumelo For 'Advising' iPhone Aficionados

  • Politics

    Politics

    NDC Group Condemns Minister's Errand Boy After Assault Incident
    • 2/14/2019 4:23:50 AM
    • 6

    NDC Group Condemns Minister's Errand Boy After Assault Incident

    Privileges Committee to present report on maverick Ken Agyapong Wednesday
    • 2/13/2019 5:10:10 AM
    • 5

    Privileges Committee to present report on maverick Ken Agyapong Wednesday

    NPP's Edmund Kyei Proposes Early Electioneering Campaign
    • 2/12/2019 3:56:08 PM
    • 3

    NPP's Edmund Kyei Proposes Early Electioneering Campaign

    Northern REGSEC To Meet Over Salaga Disturbances
    • 2/13/2019 9:27:23 AM
    • 3

    Northern REGSEC To Meet Over Salaga Disturbances

  • Opinion

    Opinion

    Black History Month, Half Full Or Half Empty?
    • 2/12/2019 2:36:23 PM
    • 3

    Black History Month, Half Full Or Half Empty?

    Ghana Government Under The Microscope
    • 2/12/2019 10:10:43 AM
    • 2

    Ghana Government Under The Microscope

    NDC Can Set Up Its Own Neutrally Constituted Commission to Probe Ayawaso
    • 2/12/2019 6:46:48 PM
    • 2

    NDC Can Set Up Its Own Neutrally Constituted Commission to Probe Ayawaso

    Is Radio More Social Than Social Media?
    • 2/13/2019 4:55:08 PM
    • 2

    Is Radio More Social Than Social Media?

  • Lifestyle

    Lifestyle

    Whom You Know, Determines Your Speed In Life
    • 2/12/2019 3:25:32 PM
    • 5

    Whom You Know, Determines Your Speed In Life

    How to start having sex again after a breakup
    • 2/13/2019 1:05:31 AM
    • 4

    How to start having sex again after a breakup

    Preparing 2 Unique Smoothies To Start Your Day
    • 2/13/2019 9:38:11 AM
    • 4

    Preparing 2 Unique Smoothies To Start Your Day

    Masturbation Health Benefits.
    • 2/12/2019 10:04:40 AM
    • 3

    Masturbation Health Benefits.

  • Video

    Video

    PM Narendra Modi takes a jibe at Rahul Gandhi’s ‘jhappi’ and ‘wink’
    • 2/13/2019 4:14:18 PM
    • 7

    PM Narendra Modi takes a jibe at Rahul Gandhi’s ‘jhappi’ and ‘wink’

    Badflower LIVE @ Billboard
    • 2/13/2019 2:49:18 AM
    • 6

    Badflower LIVE @ Billboard

    DJ Switch At 32nd Session Of The Assembly of Heads Of State and Government of the AU in Ethiopia
    • 2/12/2019 2:42:17 PM
    • 5

    DJ Switch At 32nd Session Of The Assembly of Heads Of State and Government of the AU in Ethiopia

    MKE WA MTU NI SUMU
    • 2/12/2019 10:51:17 PM
    • 5

    MKE WA MTU NI SUMU

World

http://www.24ghana.com/world/morocco-polisario-western-sahara-talks-an-ice-breaker/53781-news
Morocco-Polisario Western Sahara talks an 'ice-breaker'
  • 12/3/2018 10:21:02 AM
  • 8

Morocco-Polisario Western Sahara talks an 'ice-breaker'

A UN envoy is set to host an "initial round-table" in Geneva this week between Morocco and the Polisario Front in a bid to kick-start dialogue on the disputed Western Sahara region.

"It is time to open a new chapter in the political process", said UN envoy Horst Koehler in an October invitation letter.

Six years after direct talks broke down, the meeting is expected to take place on Wednesday and Thursday, with neighbouring Algeria and Mauritania also attending.

A former Spanish colony, phosphate-rich Western Sahara sits on the western edge of the vast eponymous desert, stretching around 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) along the fish-abundant Atlantic coastline.

When Spain withdrew from the North African territory in 1975, Rabat sent thousands of people across the border and claimed it was an integral part of Morocco.

The following year the Polisario Front declared Western Sahara the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), with support from Algeria and Libya, and demanded a referendum on self-determination to resolve the dispute.

But as the stalemate continued, Morocco built razor-wire-topped concentric sand walls in the desert that still ring 80 percent of the territory it controls.

A 1991 ceasefire saw the UN deploy a peacekeeping mission which has perpetuated the line of control, but the international community has long intended a referendum be held to decide the territory's status.

Rabat currently rejects any vote in which independence is an option, arguing that only granting autonomy is on the table and that this is necessary for regional security.

Living in limbo

Awaiting a settlement, between 100,000 and 200,000 refugees live precariously in camps in western Algeria, near the city of Tindouf.

The last round of direct talks were launched by the UN in 2007 but got bogged down 2012, as the opposing sides proved unable to compromise over the territory's status and the proposed referendum.

Leading the diplomatic efforts since 2017, Koehler -- a former president of Germany -- has already met the key protagonists several times, albeit separately.

His efforts have paved the way for the Polisario, Morocco, Algeria and Mauritania to sit at the same table, even if the format has not been unanimously agreed.

Algeria wants to participate only as an "observer country", but Rabat considers it a "stakeholder" in the discussions, since Algiers is the Polisario's main backer.

A UN briefing note says the Geneva meeting represents "a first step... with the aim of reaching a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable solution which will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara".

But the itinerary remains vague, outlining the delegations will take "stock of recent developments, address regional issues, and discuss the next steps in the political process on Western Sahara".

According to one diplomatic source, the plan is not to put too much pressure on this first meeting.

Instead, it should be considered more of a "warming up" exercise aimed at "breaking the ice", especially given still-poor relations between Rabat and Algiers.

The situation remains "generally calm" along the line of control, despite tensions that resurfaced in early 2018, according to a UN report.

For the Polisario, a recent reduction in the UN peacekeepers' mandate from 12 months to six months is part of a "dynamic" created by Koehler's appointment.

The UN Security Council adopted a US-drafted resolution in October to renew the peacekeeping mission and throw its weight behind the planned talks.

But ahead of the Geneva meeting, all sides are sticking to their positions, even as they signal their goodwill.

While supporting a "durable" political solution marked by a "spirit of compromise", King Mohammed VI said in a recent speech that Morocco will not yield on its "territorial integrity", including control over Western Sahara.

Key Polisario official Mhamed Khadad told AFP ahead of attending the Geneva talks "everything can be negotiated except the inalienable and imprescriptible right of our people to self-determination."

Reflecting its status as the Polisario's main supporter, Algeria likewise speaks of this "inalienable and imprescriptible" right.

In a recent official statement, Algiers said it would head to Geneva favouring "frank and fair" direct negotiations between the Polisario and Morocco aimed at building a definitive solution.

  • Morocco-Polisario Western Sahara talks an 'ice-breaker'
  • Morocco-Polisario Western Sahara talks an 'ice-breaker'
  • Morocco-Polisario Western Sahara talks an 'ice-breaker'

Related News

Macron, Putin assess 'degraded' situation in Syria
  • 2/17/2019 7:38:55 AM

Macron, Putin assess 'degraded' situation in Syria

Early rewards at Berlinale for Sudanese and French world premières
  • 2/17/2019 7:38:54 AM

Early rewards at Berlinale for Sudanese and French world premières

France accuses Syrian suspect of crimes against humanity
  • 2/17/2019 7:38:54 AM

France accuses Syrian suspect of crimes against humanity

Nadav Lapid's 'Synonymes' dances away with Golden Bear in Berlin
  • 2/17/2019 7:38:54 AM

Nadav Lapid's 'Synonymes' dances away with Golden Bear in Berlin

NY museum says ancient coffin was looted, will go back to Egypt
  • 2/17/2019 7:35:54 AM

NY museum says ancient coffin was looted, will go back to Egypt

Airbus To End A380 After Emirates Cuts Order
  • 2/14/2019 4:19:49 PM
  • 4

Airbus To End A380 After Emirates Cuts Order

Renault Revenues Drop With Falling Diesel Sales
  • 2/14/2019 12:16:31 PM
  • 3

Renault Revenues Drop With Falling Diesel Sales

Nigerian Elections: Don't Forget The Youth
  • 2/14/2019 12:17:40 PM
  • 3

Nigerian Elections: Don't Forget The Youth

Al-Qaeda In Libya Hit With US Airstrike
  • 2/14/2019 3:38:51 PM
  • 3

Al-Qaeda In Libya Hit With US Airstrike

IS runaway teen 'could face prosecution in UK'
  • 2/14/2019 4:07:17 PM
  • 3

IS runaway teen 'could face prosecution in UK'

Fire Hits Nigerian Election Office Days Before Vote
  • 2/13/2019 12:58:12 PM
  • 4

Fire Hits Nigerian Election Office Days Before Vote

Traumatised Nigerian Widows Confront Shell In Dutch Court
  • 2/12/2019 3:50:07 PM
  • 3

Traumatised Nigerian Widows Confront Shell In Dutch Court

US Slams Repression In Zimbabwe
  • 2/12/2019 10:09:26 PM
  • 3

US Slams Repression In Zimbabwe

Latest News

GRA Struggling To Meet Revenue Target Over Diamond Cement And Dangote
Business
  • 2/17/2019 9:16:47 AM
  • 0

GRA Struggling To Meet Revenue Target Over Diamond Cement And Dangote

MPs Urged To Team Up With MMDCEs To Satisfy Requirement For DPAT Funds
Business
  • 2/17/2019 9:16:47 AM
  • 0

MPs Urged To Team Up With MMDCEs To Satisfy Requirement For DPAT Funds

DOVVSU Reveals Assault Cases Rise In Upper West Region
National
  • 2/17/2019 9:15:51 AM
  • 0

DOVVSU Reveals Assault Cases Rise In Upper West Region

NGO Donate To Senior Correction Centre
National
  • 2/17/2019 9:15:51 AM
  • 0

NGO Donate To Senior Correction Centre

GNACC Urges School Owners To Establish Counselling Departments
National
  • 2/17/2019 9:15:50 AM
  • 0

GNACC Urges School Owners To Establish Counselling Departments

Prison Officers Undergo Paralegal Training
National
  • 2/17/2019 9:15:50 AM
  • 0

Prison Officers Undergo Paralegal Training

Pentecost Church Organizes Clean-Up Exercise In Dome
National
  • 2/17/2019 9:15:50 AM
  • 0

Pentecost Church Organizes Clean-Up Exercise In Dome

Expo To Recruit Students, Footballers Into Top UK High Schools Underway In Accra
National
  • 2/17/2019 9:15:50 AM
  • 0

Expo To Recruit Students, Footballers Into Top UK High Schools Underway In Accra

Halt Discrimination Against Epileptic Patients - Mental Health Coordinator
National
  • 2/17/2019 9:15:49 AM
  • 0

Halt Discrimination Against Epileptic Patients - Mental Health Coordinator

New Egyptian Ambassador Pays Courtesy Call On Senior Minister
National
  • 2/17/2019 9:15:49 AM
  • 0

New Egyptian Ambassador Pays Courtesy Call On Senior Minister

Potsin Junction Accident Kills 3
National
  • 2/17/2019 9:15:49 AM
  • 0

Potsin Junction Accident Kills 3

Short's Commission: We Play Too Much With Serious Matters – Cudjoe
National
  • 2/17/2019 9:15:49 AM
  • 0

Short's Commission: We Play Too Much With Serious Matters – Cudjoe

Bawumia Reiterates Gov't's Commitment To Improve Zongos
Politics
  • 2/17/2019 9:12:46 AM
  • 0

Bawumia Reiterates Gov't's Commitment To Improve Zongos

LOAD Ghana calls for stringent measures to regulate sale of alcohol
Lifestyle
  • 2/17/2019 9:07:34 AM
  • 0

LOAD Ghana calls for stringent measures to regulate sale of alcohol

Chelsea vs Manchester United 3-4 - Highlights & Goals Resumen & Goles (Last Matches) HD
Video
  • 2/17/2019 8:42:08 AM
  • 0

Chelsea vs Manchester United 3-4 - Highlights & Goals Resumen & Goles (Last Matches) HD

Nigeria Postpones Presidential Election On Poll Day; Buhari Stoned? Kanu Calls Off Boycott; Senegal
Video
  • 2/17/2019 8:42:07 AM
  • 2

Nigeria Postpones Presidential Election On Poll Day; Buhari Stoned? Kanu Calls Off Boycott; Senegal

Ken Agyapong To Ŝϋꬴ lmmigration Officers & Not lnterested ln Speaker 0f ParIiament
Video
  • 2/17/2019 8:42:07 AM
  • 0

Ken Agyapong To Ŝϋꬴ lmmigration Officers & Not lnterested ln Speaker 0f ParIiament

Kwesi Arthur - Porpi | Ground Up Tv
Video
  • 2/17/2019 8:42:07 AM
  • 0

Kwesi Arthur - Porpi | Ground Up Tv

MAD OVER YOU EPISODE 3 (SideChick Series Continues)
Video
  • 2/17/2019 8:42:07 AM
  • 0

MAD OVER YOU EPISODE 3 (SideChick Series Continues)

Asamoah Gyan's Wife Demands Half of Property in Court afta DNA Results..
Video
  • 2/17/2019 8:42:06 AM
  • 0

Asamoah Gyan's Wife Demands Half of Property in Court afta DNA Results..

Follow

Popular

  • Pulwama: Kangana Ranaut lashes out at Shabana Azmi & Javed Akhtar; Here's why | FilmiBeat
    Video

    Pulwama: Kangana Ranaut lashes out at Shabana Azmi & Javed Akhtar; Here's why | FilmiBeat

  • Morocco To Bring In VAR Technology For All Top-Flight League Games
    Sport

    Morocco To Bring In VAR Technology For All Top-Flight League Games

  • 'Hearts Ladies' Behind Songne Yacouba Struggle - Sarfo Gyamfi
    Sport

    'Hearts Ladies' Behind Songne Yacouba Struggle - Sarfo Gyamfi

  • Mortal remains of CRPF jawans reach home amid tears, anger and anti-Pakistan slogans
    Video

    Mortal remains of CRPF jawans reach home amid tears, anger and anti-Pakistan slogans

  • 2face Idibia Apologizes To Wife After Accused Of Beating His Wife
    Entertainment

    2face Idibia Apologizes To Wife After Accused Of Beating His Wife

  • Actor Bruno Ganz Dies At Aged 77
    Entertainment

    Actor Bruno Ganz Dies At Aged 77

  • Mahama Describes Osafo Maafo As Hypocrite
    Politics

    Mahama Describes Osafo Maafo As Hypocrite

  • Governance expert pushes for law on selection of regional capitals
    Politics

    Governance expert pushes for law on selection of regional capitals

  • PM Modi: Sacrifice of those killed in Pulwama will not go in vain
    Video

    PM Modi: Sacrifice of those killed in Pulwama will not go in vain

  • All party meet adopts resolution condemning Pulwama terror attack
    Video

    All party meet adopts resolution condemning Pulwama terror attack

  • 'Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men' - Variety Sundance Studio 2019
    Video

    'Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men' - Variety Sundance Studio 2019

  • Javed Akhtar, Shabana Azmi cancel Pakistan visit
    Video

    Javed Akhtar, Shabana Azmi cancel Pakistan visit

  • NISSAN Morning Drive: Bruins Continue Road Trip With Showdown Against Kings
    Video

    NISSAN Morning Drive: Bruins Continue Road Trip With Showdown Against Kings

  • Nana Addo Urges Oti, Volta Region To Develop Their Regions, Cement Relations In Peace
    National

    Nana Addo Urges Oti, Volta Region To Develop Their Regions, Cement Relations In Peace

  • Confirmed: Dr. Bawumia Convoy Involved In An Accident At Asemasa
    National

    Confirmed: Dr. Bawumia Convoy Involved In An Accident At Asemasa

24ghana.com

24ghana.com © 2018 Contact Us