United Nations Security Council Resolution 809 – Western Sahara
Resolution 809 (1993)
The Security Council,
Reaffirming its resolutions 621 (1988) of 20 September 1988, 658 (1990) of 27 June 1990, 690 (1991) of 29 April 1991 and 725 (1991) of 31 December 1991,
Recalling that in conformity with the Settlement Plan regarding the question of Western Sahara (S/21360 and S/22464), as adopted by resolutions 658 (1990) and 690 (1991), it was for the Secretary-General to determine the instructions for the review of the applications for participation in the referendum, and that the Council welcomed in its resolution 725 (1991) the report of the Secretary-General dated 19 December 1991 (S/23299),
Having considered the report of the Secretary-General on the situation concerning Western Sahara (S/25170),
Concerned by the difficulties and delays encountered in the implementation of the Settlement Plan regarding the question of Western Sahara and in particular the persistent divergences between the two parties on the interpretation and application of the criteria for voter eligibility set out by the Secretary-General in his report dated 19 December 1991 (S/23299),
Determined that the Settlement Plan regarding the question of Western Sahara be implemented without further delay in order to achieve a just and lasting solution,
Stressing the desirability of ensuring the full cooperation of both parties for the implementation of the Settlement Plan,
- Welcomes the report of the Secretary-General on the situation concerning Western Sahara (S/25170);
2. Invites the Secretary-General and his special representative to intensify their efforts, with the parties, in order to resolve the issues identified in his report (S/25170), in particular those relating to the interpretation and application of the criteria for voter eligibility;
3. Invites further the Secretary-General to make the necessary preparations for the organization of the referendum of self-determination of the people of Western Sahara and to consult accordingly with the parties for the purpose of commencing voter registration on a prompt basis starting with the updated lists of the 1974 census;
4. Invites also the Secretary-General to report to the Council as soon as possible and not later than May 1993 on the outcome of his efforts, on the cooperation of the parties and on the prospects and modalities for the holding of the referendum on a free and fair basis with a view that this take place by the end of the current year at the latest, and reguests the Secretary-General to include in this report proposals for the necessary adjustments to the present role and strength of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO);
5. Urges the two parties to cooperate fully with the Secretary-General in implementing the Settlement Plan which has been accepted by them and approved by the Council in its resolutions 658 (1990) and 690 (1991), and in resolving the issues identified in the Secretary-General’s recent report (S/25170), in particular those relating to the interpretation and application of the criteria for voter eligibility;
6. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.
Adopted by the Security Council at its 3179th meeting, on 2 March 1993.
