Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 February 2025
51. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of relations and engagement between the State and Western Sahara’s Polisario Front; if the Government recognises the Polisario Front as interlocutors for the Sahrawi people; and if this Government will commit to recognising a sovereign Sahrawi state. [3417/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland’s long-standing position on Western Sahara is one of full support for the UN-led process, including the MINURSO Mission, and the efforts of Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, to achieve a political solution to this long-standing dispute. It is our hope that these efforts will help achieve a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution which will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.
UN Security Council Resolution 2756, adopted on 31 October 2024, extended the mandate of the MINURSO Mission by one year, until 31 October 2025. As per this and previous Resolutions, I have called on all parties to the dispute, and on the wider international community, to support and assist the efforts of the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Western Sahara as he continues his engagements with the parties to the dispute. I welcome the visits and consultations he has undertaken to the region.
I also support the call in the UNSC Resolution on all parties to cooperate fully with MINURSO in carrying out its important mandate.
My officials, at HQ and in our Mission network, discuss the conflict as part of our ongoing political engagement with the involved regional actors, including the Polisario Front. Ireland views the Polisario Front as a party to an ongoing conflict.
