Western Sahara: Annan hails release of 100 Moroccan prisoners of war

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today hailed the Frente POLISARIO’s release of 100 Moroccan prisoners of war who were repatriated yesterday by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

Through his spokesman, Mr. Annan voiced hope that the POLISARIO “will expeditiously release all remaining prisoners, in accordance with the relevant Security Council resolutions and in compliance with international law.”

“He also urges the parties to continue to cooperate with the ICRC to resolve the fate of all those unaccounted for since the beginning of the conflict,” the spokesman said.

Located on the northwest coast of Africa, Western Sahara was administered by Spain until 1976. After Spain’s withdrawal, fighting ensued between Morocco and the Popular Front for the Liberation of the Saguia el-Hamra and Rio de Oro. A peace agreement was brokered and in 1991, the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) was deployed to organize and conduct a referendum on the territory’s future status.